## page was renamed from Cauldron4
= Cauldron, Part 4 =
11/14/07
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* You reach Ghelve's Locks. A small turret dominates the front of this two-story black stone building. Iron bars are embedded in the thick window frames. Beyond the turret's groundfloor windows sits a lovely display of locks, from large to small, simple to complex. To the left of the turret, above a heavy oak door, swings a simple sign that reads "GHELVE'S LOCKS"

Rayne looks to Jiona and Calico and asks, "Can you pick up the scent?"


Tillandor checks the sun to determine time of day.

* The afternoon is lazing on, but the streets seem filled with busy people doing whatever it is they do in the afternoon.  The sun is visible through the distant clouds, and dusk will decend soon.

Ethkin does the same, by 'somehow' finding north, and feeling the sun on his back...

Jiona gives Rayne a half-smile.  Then, looking at the front of the building, she shrugs a bit and walks up, attempting to open the door.  It's a shop, after all.  She shouldn't have to knock, right?

Rayne rubs his chin thoughtfully for a moment. "Well I think I have an idea on how to handle this. Follow my lead." and strides to the door.

Tillandor walks up too.

Rayne turns the handle and attempts to walk inside.

Calico already at thye door, trys the handle.

* The front door appears to have several different locks, but the door handle opens the it smoothly.  A little mechanical jingle heralds your entry into the shop.

Rayne looks around for the shopkeep.

Tillandor steps inside, looking about.

Rayne whispers to Calico and Jiona, "See if you can pick up anything of the children or the intruder."

Calico slips inside and looks around.

Jiona also enters, and promptly starts sniffing the air, trying to see if that scent she was tracking earlier is present inside.  She also gives Rayne another quick smile, as she's already started doing so, if not so obviously as earlier.

* Inside Ghelve's is a nice front area.  A medium-creature height counter runs along the right hand side of the room, with a curtain behind it.  On the far wall at the right is a door, and a red carpet covers much of the stone floor.  Two chairs flank a nice fireplace.  Behind the counter you see what you assume is Ghelve.

Ethkin gets pulled in by Calico.

Rayne walks towards the Ghelve and says, "Ghelve I presume?"

Calico heads towards the chairs by the fireplace, thinking to park the clutz she's been leading.

* Ghelve is a somewhat tall gnome.  In fact, he stands eye to eye with Rayne.  He has salt and pepper hair and a neatly trimmed mustache and goatee.  His bushy eyebrows, creased face, and graven frown make him look frumpy and dour, but as you enter he smiles and says, "Welcome welcome.  How can I help you?"

Ethkin is 'offered' a chair, and sits.

Rayne says, "Ah yes. I need some new locks for my father's estate. Apparently one of the servants ran off with a set of keys so we need to find something to replace them."

* Ghelve looks at Rayne for a moment, "Ah... you are Lord Delthor's son, I presume?"

Rayne asks, "Can you show me your latest wares?"

Rayne nods.

Calico turns to watch and listen to Ghelve.

Ghelve says, "Well that's a shame."

Tillandor blinks.

Ghelve says, "I put those in what... five or six years ago."

Ghelve scratches his beard.

Jiona also listens, still quietly sampling the air, and allowing Rayne to take the lead, as she likes his plan better than what she'd been considering.

Ghelve says, "I assume the purpose is to keep the servant from having free access to the estate."

Rayne shakes his head, "Normally he is very careful about who he hires, but unfortunately sometimes you can't always know everything about someone."

Ghelve says, "Very true."

Rayne nods and says, "Exactly. We wouldn't want access to fall into the wrong hands."

Ethkin grins behind a hand.

DM to Jiona: You catch a scent of one of those creatures... it is very fresh and appears to be very close by.

Rayne says, "So what do you have? Anything new?"

Rayne scans the room, looking at wares, glancing around the shop.

Jiona to DM: Is there anything in the direction of the smell that Jiona can reasonably use as an excuse to be checking out?  Like a set of locks on display?

Tillandor pokes around the shop with a sorry attempt at nonchalance,  looking for anything out of the ordinary.

DM to Jiona: There are locks under the counter behind some glass, some are quite complex.

Rayne walks next to Tillandor, mutters something under his breath and walks back to inspecting the wares.

Ethkin sits quietly, listening to the conversation, and letting his other five senses tell him what they willl.

Tillandor meanders toward the curtain.

Calico, having little worth stealing, has little interest in locks, but great interest in the man who might have gotten past a lock.

Rayne waits for Ghelve to direct him to wares.

Ghelve says, "Well, last time your father had custom locks made.  He's a very discerning man, you know.  They took several weeks to make.  I could set you up with some temporary locks while I make a new set if you like."

Jiona's attention appears to wane, and she begins investigating some of the inventory on display behind the glass counter out of idle curiosity.

Ghelve points Rayne to a lock behind the glass at the end of the counter.  He pulls it out to show it's complexity.

Jiona to DM: Jiona attempts to pin down the location of the smell and where it might lead.  And if there are variations to the scent that might suggest more than one 'creature'.

Rayne frowns and says, "Ideally we would want to get permanent replacements right away. I suppose if we had to get temporary ones that would have to do until the replacements could be made."

Rayne inspects the lock carefully, listening to the description of the inner workings.

Ghelve says, "This lock here is the more advanced version of what your father had installed previously.  It's a new variant on the standard tumbler lock.  It should confound even the most desperate and talented picker."

Rayne raises an eyebrow and says, "Really? Hmmmm father might want to come and see this."

Ghelve says, "If we were to do it more quickly... I could make new mechanisms for your existing locks.  I'd have to inspect them of course..."

Rayne says, "Do you have anything else?"

Rayne asks, "What would be faster, redoing the existing locks or replacing them?"

Ghelve says, "Well, if you give me a moment, I do have a few more exotic locks that I ... well," he grins, "I keep them under lock and key, I'll admit."

Rayne chuckles, "As any good locksmith would I'm sure. I would like to see them."

Tillandor tries to find a point out of direct line of sight of Ghelve, and begins rummaging in his pockets.

Ghelve says, "Redoing them, certainly.  However... now that someone has a sample key, it would be easier to pick as the new keys would be of a similar style.  If they understood lockpicking very well, it would give them a bit of an advantage in picking."

Rayne says, "Ah I see. Well that won't do."

Ghelve says, "Well, this lock would certainly do the job, and if you give me a moment, I could show you some far more advanced locks."

* Suddenly the curtain behind Ghelve sweeps open, revealing the room behind it.

Tillandor grins in spite of himself.

Ethkin suruptisously tries to get the attention of someone in the party...

Ghelve startles, "Oh... umm... Yes, that's my new mechanical curtain.  An experiment, you see."

Tillandor says, "Really?  I'm terribly curious about how it works."

Rayne looks at the curtain in amazement, "Mechanical you say? Amazing!"

* You see another room, roughly the size of the room you are in now (15x15).  There are three large chests in the center of the room.  On the right is an alcove with a black curtain to the front of the store.  To the left, going upwards towards you, is a wooden stair.  (continuing...)

Calico eyes the black curtain.

Rayne steps towards the room and asks, "Is this where you hold those locks you speak of?"

Jiona jerks back a short distance from the counter, startled out of whatever she'd been concentrating on.  She looks at the revealed room in surprise, then seems amused as Ghelve attempts to cover his reaction; clearly it wasn't something he wasn't intending to display.  And, with the area just revealed, she tries to sample the air again, still trying to be subtle about it.

* The room looks tidy, but lived in.  Carpets cover the stone floor and a broom leans against the rail of the stair.  Small tables, shelves, and benches hold various knick-knacks.  A framed portrait of a silver-haired gnome hanges next to a tall wooden box a the base of the stairs.

Ghelve says, "Uhh, yes.  Just a moment..."

Ghelve steps into the room beyond and sweeps the curtain back in place.

* You hear some jingling, then a solid click and creaking sound.

Tillandor follows.  "Where is the trigger switch?"

Rayne moves over to Jiona and Calico and asks in a very low voice not intended for other ears, "What do you think?"

Tillandor asks, "How did you open it from across the room like that?"

Calico quietly speaks, "he's got something back there."

Ghelve says from behind the curtain, "Trade secrets, I must admit."

Ghelve pops out of the center of the curtain with three large complicated metal mechanisms.

Calico slips over to where Ghelve stood when the curtain first opened.

Tillandor ostentatiously leans toward the curtain and studies the rod.

Rayne says in the same low tone, "Something we are looking for?"

DM to Jiona: You smell... something like fear from... the other creature in the building.

Jiona to DM: Direction?

DM to Jiona: Definitely upstairs.  Probably in that other room.

Rayne corrects, meant to say before Ghelve popped out.

* DM catches up...

* Look at the map along the top, you'll see the two rooms.

Jiona's ears perk forward just before Ghelve closes the curtain; something has visibly caught her interest.  She steps over to Tillandor, slightly nudging him with an elbow, and - with a quick glance to make sure that Ghelve is still occupied with Rayne - gives the ceiling above their heads an equally brief, but meaningful look.

Ethkin sits in the chair, allowing his senses to tell him what they will...

Ghelve is at the red X.

Ghelve says, "These three locks represent the highest in complexity.  They can be locked with multiple keys."

Rayne looks on with interest.

Rayne says, "Go on."

Ghelve says, "You have a master key that will unlock them at any time, and also can turn on and off the ability to use the various servant keys."

Calico is suddenly interested in locks.

Ghelve says, "You see, in this way, a servant could have an individual key, say key D, and since you have the master key, key A, you can choose to no longer allow that servant to have access with key D."

Tillandor shrugs at Jiona, as if to say he doesn't have a plan.

Rayne asks, "How's that?"

Ghelve says, "Or perhaps a servant could only have access during certain times of the day."

Ethkin mumbles, "Trade secret."

Ghelve chuckles, "Well, the function is, but I can surely show the way you would work it."

Rayne nods and looks on.

Ghelve pulls out a set of metal rods, "See, these keys are quite unlike conventional keys."

Ethkin's comment was to Rayne's 'how's that?'

Rayne knows.

Rayne looks at the metal rods.

* The keys are thin square rods with complex grooves in them going both along the length and crosswise.

Tillandor wanders over to Ethkin.

- And gestures for Jiona to follow.

Jiona follows after Tillandor, not having any better ideas herself just yet.

Calico wanders around the counter to get a closer look at the locks, and the lock maker.

Tillandor whispers, "Maybe there's another way into the other room?  An outside window or something?" to you, Ethkin and DM.

Ethkin waits for the two to get closer and murmers in a voice he hopes a fox can hear, but a gnome cannot, "There's somethin' odd upstairs."

Ghelve says, "Oh, please.  I'd rather if you stayed behind the counter."

Jiona to DM: Could Jiona use Air to keep sounds from travelling beyond a certain range of the speakers, while all three are in a little area like that?

Rayne moves to be across the counter from Ghelve.

DM to Jiona: Sure, 2 pts for a 10 foot radius or less.

DM to Jiona: Of course, you'd have to keep the volume low to start with, it's more of a muffling.

Jiona to DM: Understood.  Is the area they're in within 10' right now?

Ghelve demonstrates to Calico and Rayne the complex button pressing and key jiggling manuevers to enable and disable keys.

DM to Jiona: You think so.  You think you can also get Rayne in it as well.

Rayne takes careful mental notes and asks questions from time to time about the workings.

Calico's eyes glaze over at the complex movements.

Jiona to DM: Alright, but at the moment she's not going to.  It would interfere with his chat with Ghelve.

Rayne is attempting to learn how to use the key system.

Rayne asks, "May I try?"

Jiona moves a little closer to Tillandor and Ethkin, and concentrates for a moment.

Calico eyes the curtain, and wonders what might be hidden behind it.

Jiona whispers, "As long as we don't speak louder than this, we can avoid being overheard for a little while.  I'd suggest not making it obvious that we're talking very much.  The same smell is upstairs, and it's stronger - and it's afraid." to Ethkin, Tillandor and DM.

- DM - Which door did we come in through?  It looks like there are 3 doors into the room we're in, not counting the curtain.

Ethkin quirks an eyebrow...

Ghelve hands a pair of keys to Rayne to test it out.

* The bottom door was the entrance.

Rayne tries moving the keys as instructed.

* The space on the left is a fireplace.

* Two doors.  One curtain.  One fireplace.

Rayne looks for a full second or two at Tillandor while messing around with the lock and arches an eyebrow.

Ghelve says, "I see you've gotten the hang of it.  Simple, but very effective."

Rayne says, "Impressive." and hands the lock with rods back to Ghelve.

Tillandor heads for the front door.

Ghelve says, "So what do you think?  What style of..."

Rayne says, "I will need to tell father of this new technology, he may wish to see for himself. You know how picky he is."

Rayne asks, "By the way - what was the price again?"

Ghelve looks over at Tillandor as he leaves, then turns back to Rayne, "...ah yes.  He's a very discerning man, I'm certain he'd like to try the lock.  I will keep it up here so he can look at it."

Ethkin wonders where Tillandor is going.

Jiona watches Tillandor move off, looking confused, but waits to see what he's doing.  She also glances at Ethkin, wondering if he has any idea.

Calico slips to the back door, and wonders if trying it is a good idea.

Ghelve says, "Well it all really depends on how many you need and how quickly, that sort of thing.  We'll discuss it when he comes."

Ghelve looks sharply over at Calico, "Can I help you?"

Calico scampers towards the fireplace.

Ghelve says, "I'm sorry, I don't have a public bathroom.  I do think that the Meat on a Stick stand a few buildings down does."

Tillandor steps outside and closes the door behind him.

* The door jingles with a little mechanical sound.

Calico whispers, "what you whispering about over here?" to Ethkin, you and DM.

Rayne nods and says, "Alright. I'll be back when I can get my father out here. I am sure he will want to address this soon."

Ethkin whispers, "There's something upstairs. Till' is going out to see if there's a window or something." to Calico, you and DM.

Jiona whispers, "As Calico steps into the noise-dampened area, Jiona whispers back, "There's something hiding upstairs, and it smells like what was in the orphanage, and it's afraid.  Tillandor's gone outside to see if there's a way in through a window or something."" to Calico, Ethkin and DM.

Ghelve nods to Rayne, "Excellent.  I look forward to seeing you both again soon.  Have a good evening."

Rayne nods and says, "You too." then heads out the door and nods to Calico.

Calico heads out the door.

Rayne steps outside and looks for his companions.

- Perking an ear to the sound of the conversation ending, Jiona takes Ethkin's hand, murmuring, "Time to go," and offers to lead him outside.

Tillandor waves from his position by the barred display window.

Ethkin takes Jiona's hand greatfully.

Ghelve says something in the general direction of Jiona and Ethkin, but they cannot hear it.

Ethkin turns to Jiona, "Whad' he say?"

DM to Jiona: You see Ghelve's lips moving, but you can't quite hear him.  Oddly, you don't think you've heard a single word he's said while you had the sound muffler on.

Rayne motions to Tillandor to come over and says, "Lets go grab some dinner and discuss our visit."

Jiona to DM: Jiona dismisses the dampening effect.

Ghelve says, "...you hear me?  I suppose not."

- Given the hint that she was addressed, Jiona concentrates for another brief instant, then looks back.  "Um, sorry, Ghelve.  My mind was wandering.  What was that?"

Ghelve walks out from behind his counter towards Jiona and Ethkin, making broad gestures, "Hello?  Can I... help" he makes another gesture, "You?" and points to you both.

Ghelve says, "Huh?  Oh, you can hear me."

Calico glances at the upper story windows before turning to follow Rayne.

Tillandor nods, again checking the time.  "And probably attend our meeting after."

Ghelve says, "Just wondering if I could help you.  It's getting late, and I'll have to close soon."

Ghelve says, "You're welcome to enjoy the fire until then, certainly."

Jiona giggles in slight embarrassment.  "My apologies.  You were speaking with my companion, so I admittedly stopped listening."  She nods again, and gives him a quick wave with her free hand.  "Thank you for your offer, but we are also on our way out.  Good evening to you," she says by way of farewell, giving him another quick smile, then steps out of the shop, still leading Ethkin.

* Outside, it has become dusk.  The sky is beautiful with the clouds and evening light.  A brisk breeze brings the scent of hundreds of chimneys cooking the evening meal.

Ghelve nods, "Good night, then.  Hope to see you soon."

Rayne rubs his stomach with a free hand and says, "What would you like to eat?"

Ghelve bows to Jiona.

Ethkin inhales deeeeeeeply of the evening air, the sunset lost on him.

Calico pulls out the leftover half of her steak roll from lunch and starts eating.

Tillandor says, "We could go get something from the mess hall at the university."

Jiona gives Ghelve one last polite smile in return for his bow, then turns her attention to her companions once the door is securely closed behind her.

Rayne stops walking towards the market area and says, "What of our companions?"

Tillandor says, "I meant all of us.  I doubt they'd turn away our guests."

Rayne nods and says, "That isn't a bad idea."

Ethkin mutters, "The half elves Gretchyn mentioned are wathing us..."

Tillandor blinks, and looks around obviously.

Jiona looks interested at the idea of dinner, and starts to open her mouth, then pauses at Ethkin's comment.  "...Really?  Where?" she asks instead.

Rayne turns to the others, mouth open about to say something, then stops and closes it upon hearing Ethkin's comment.

Calico stops eating and looks/listens for the half elves.

Rayne looks at Ethkin and says, "And how would you say you know this?"

Ethkin thinks, "...East."

Rayne says, "You can't even find a chair without help." and grimaces.

Ethkin says, "I... can just tell."

Ethkin shrugs.

Calico says, "about 100 yards, by the meat on a stick vendor."

Ethkin grins, "Who wants Meat on a Stick?"

Tillandor chuckles.  "Sounds good to me."

* Two half-elves haggle with the vendor, seemingly out of place for some reason.  The taller of the two is blonde with wild hair.  The other is more tanned with shoulder-length brown hair and a green mantle.

Calico tries not to be distracted, as she quite likes meat on a stick.

Rayne says, "Be wary - these are half elves I know not."

Jiona looks at Ethkin, recalling what she's seen him pull off so far.  "Perhaps not... but a chair isn't alive," she both answers Rayne and thinks aloud in a quiet voice.

Rayne looks startles for moment, then looks at Ethkin with scrutinized and slightly dimmed interest.

Rayne corrects, looks startled

Calico re-wraps her partial steakroll and puts it back in her pack.

* The taller of the two elves tilts a bit as if he'd been nudged really hard.  He looks over in your direction and they both head up the street away from you.  Without meat or stick.

Ethkin chuckles...

Tillandor steps up to the vendor.  "We'll have a stick for each of us, and don't hold the meat!  And who were those guys?"

Calico walks off towards them, "shall we follow?"

Jiona follows after Tillandor, and sniffs the air heavily, trying to remember their scent in case they cross paths again.

Meat-on-a-stick Vendor guy asks, "Certainly, how many?... ummm who do you mean?"

Tillandor asks, "4?"

DM to Jiona: You are certain you got their scents.

Tillandor asks, "And those half-elves that were hanging out here.  Did they order anything?"

Meat-on-a-stick Vendor guy nods and says behind him, "A hand of nash."

Calico stops when she notes none of the party following.

Meat-on-a-stick Vendor guy asks, "Oh, those two?"

Meat-on-a-stick Vendor guy says, "I don't know what they wanted."

Meat-on-a-stick Vendor guy says, "First they wanted food, then they wanted to haggle, then they said they'd be back."

Meat-on-a-stick Vendor guy shrugs.

Ethkin chuckles for the Vendor's benefit, "Wierd half elves."

Rayne looks sharply at Ethkin and says, "Hey watch your tongue!"

Ethkin sticks out his tongue, "Mope, can shee i'."

Rayne shakes his head at the crazy blind man.

Jiona looks at Calico when she abandons her pursuit, and quietly comments to her, "I don't think we'll have to worry.  I'll know if we encounter those two again."

Meat-on-a-stick Vendor guy gets the food from the back, "That'll be two silver."

Rayne reaches into his pouch and pulls out two silver, handing it to the vendor.

Tillandor pays Meat-on-a-stick Vendor guy.

Tillandor says, "Oh, you got it?  That's fair."

Calico says, "we might run into them again soon."

Meat-on-a-stick Vendor guy asks, "Thank you.  Anything else?"

Rayne brushes Tillandors hand aside saying, "I owe you from lunch. Its my turn."

Meat-on-a-stick Vendor guy looks at Calico as she walks up, "Yes, would you like something?"

Calico says, "No thanks."

Meat-on-a-stick Vendor guy nods.

Rayne takes his meat on a stick and starts munching heartily.

Calico likes meat on a stick, but still has leftovers from lunch, an a heavy enough pack.

Ethkin takes his stick and nibbles...

* The Meat-on-a-stick is chewy and somewhat greasy, but nicely peppered.

Tillandor turns his head sideways for a better angle from which to attack the meat.

Rayne starts walking slowly back towards the University, eating and moving away from the crowds.

Tillandor follows after Rayne.

Rayne turns and beckons the others to follow.

Calico finds a seat discretely not in clear view of the meat on a stick vendor, and resumes eating her steak roll.

Ethkin eats about half the stick and puts the rest in his cheese sammich.

* The streets of the city bustling with people heading home for the evening... or out to the taverns.

Calico follows.

Jiona takes the last one for herself, and also begins gnawing on it, following after Rayne when he gestures.

Rayne looks for a section of street least occupied and not prone to a lot of people overhearing.

Ethkin gives the Vendor a gesture of appreciation, "Greesy and peppery, perfect."

* You find some benches outside Orak's Bathhouse.  There's more steam here, but it muffles the noise of the streets, and you are off of the street by several feet at least.

Meat-on-a-stick Vendor guy says, "We aim to please.  Come again soon."

Rayne heads for one of the benches and sits down, finishing the second half of his meal.

Tillandor finishes his meat, and tucks the stick into his backpack.

Rayne waits for everyone to arrive before speaking.

Calico takes her time eating, savoring every bite.

Rayne says, "So what did you find out from the shop?"

Ethkin didn't exactly gobble his stick, I'm just planning ahead.

Tillandor defers to Jiona.

Ethkin offers her the floor as well.

Jiona also finishes her meat in short order, and like Tillandor, she stashes the stick in her pack, taking a seat on a bench near Rayne.  "The smell Calico and I have been tracking was upstairs.  And it was afraid of something," she answers.

Rayne asks, "This was the smell of the intruder or the children?"

Jiona clarifies, "The intruder."

Rayne shakes his head and says, "I wish I would have known when we were back there."

Rayne says, "But obviously we couldn't tip our hand."

Rayne says, "Anything else? The curtains remind me of the riddle."

Tillandor says, "Oh, and that curtain is SO not mechanical."

Tillandor says, "At least, no more than any other curtain."

Rayne raises an eyebrow at that.

Tillandor says, "I cast a spell to pull it back."

Jiona looks apologetic.  "I couldn't figure out a good way to let you know without attracting attention.  I did allow Tillandor, myself, and Ethkin to whisper unnoticed, but it would have startled you.  It also seemed to block his speaking to me."  She also blinks at Tillandor's comment.

Tillandor asks, "It seems suspicious to anyone else how quickly he recovered?"

Rayne says, "I see. I certainly noticed his surprise."

Calico says, "he was definately hiding something back there."

Rayne says, "I agree. Trade secrets or no, but especially that another person or being aside from him was the intruder."

Rayne asks, "But his scent wasn't on the premesis?"

Calico says, "I'd definately know if it was his smell in the orphanage"

Jiona explains, "The intruder's scent was definitely on the premises.  When Tillandor," she grins at him, "opened the curtain, I pinned it down to being upstairs."

Rayne glances around, making sure no one is nearby, listening.

Jiona takes a look at the silent observer.  "Ethkin, did you pick up on anything else while you were in there?"

Ethkin nods, "I sensed it as well."

Calico says, "I could probably climb in a window, except he probably keeps them all locked."

Tillandor says, "Most certainly locked.  With large bars and many locks."

Ethkin asks the DM for calification...

Rayne leans over and whispers to Jiona but in earshot of the group, "Is it them again across the street?"

Calico looks.

Jiona grins wryly.  "I could probably break a window, but that might attract the wrong sort of attention."  She perks her ears to Rayne's whisper, and sniffs in the direction Rayne indicates.

Tillandor says, "Unless you can break the bars too, it wouldn't do any good."

Ethkin says, "I did indeed sense, some*thing* upstairs."

Jiona muses over that one.  "I... might be able to.  But not secretly."

Rayne says slowly, "Or... we could go through the wall. No locks there."

* Across the street you see a large wooden building.  Apparently Udoo the Silkmonger's

Tillandor asks, "Through the wall??"

Jiona to DM: Any useful smells?

Rayne grins and says, "Just need some things to destroy part of the wall. Of course not exactly secretive."

DM to Jiona: Here?  Tons of smells.  None useful unless you want to track down Meat on a Stick.

Ethkin nods, "Which is odd, as I rarely sense through walls."

Calico asks, "something like a big hammer, or that massive sword?"

Jiona throws up her hands a little, smiling.  "Or we could just level the building," she says sarcastically.

Rayne frowns a little. "Swords aren't very good at handling breaking structures. No I was thinking more of something like acid."

Tillandor chuckles.  "Maybe Professor Spindlewort could.  It's beyond me though."

Calico muses, "return tomorrow, fill the shop with fog, just walk past the curtain and up the stairs."

Rayne asks, "Fill the shop with fog?"

Calico says, "one of my little skills."

Rayne asks, "Could you surround the shop with fog?"

Rayne looks across the street again, and glances around the area to see if their stalkers are still nearby.

Jiona finally shakes her head to Rayne.  "If we're being observed, I can't smell them.  Far too many strong smells outside.  They'd have to be a lot closer."

Jiona considers a bit more.  "I wonder...."

Rayne stands suddenly saying, "We are late for our meeting."

Tillandor says, "Well let's get to it."

Jiona brightens.  "I have an idea.  I... oh?  Of course.  Let's not be late."

Rayne says, "Tell us of your idea as we walk." and heads towards the University.

Ethkin holds out a hand...

Jiona grins a little, amending, "That is, not much later."

Jiona will take Ethkin's hand, unless someone else beats her to it.

Rayne glances from side to side, seeing if their pursuers are shadowing them.

* You all head east along the street towards the university.  The sun has gone down and a few magic torches around the campus have lit themselves.

Ethkin greatfully takes the fox's hand again.

* The streets are beginning to empty and you see seated on a bench in front of the university a familiar halfling.

- As she walks along leading Ethkin, Jiona explains, "If the wall of the upper floor is stone all the way through, I can look through it.  Or even make an opening for all of us, although I wouldn't be able to close it in a hurry."

* Tygot's rather large dog is there too, seated next to the bench and watching you all quite intently.

Rayne asks, "Really? What about volcanic rock?"

Calico keeps her distance from the dog.

Rayne waves to Tygot.

Tygot says, "Hello again.  I was about to give up on you all.  Night makes me nervous in this part of the city."

Jiona doesn't seem concerned.  "I admit I haven't tried it against *every* form of rock, but any pure rock thus far hasn't posed any difficulties," she answers Rayne as they approach Tygot.

Rayne says, "The walls are made of volcanic rock too."

Rayne asks, "Thanks for waiting, are you all set to go?"

Tygot asks, "Set to go?"

Rayne asks, "To show us the entrance?"

Tygot says, "I thought I was... Oh, yeah.  Exactly that."

Tygot says, "It's not far from here, but it seems to have been built over, likely."

Tygot gets up, and his dog stands as well.

Tygot leads you all east along the street.

Rayne says, "Really?" and leans over to whisper something to Tillandor.

Calico glances towards the lock shop, and backs away to make room for the dog.

Ethkin smiles in the "dog's" direction.

Tygot gestures to the left, "It was here somewhere.  I don't see it now, nor the landmark I am used to seeing... there was a stair going down here."

Jiona follows, and resumes answering Rayne, "Then it will probably work.  If I make a hole we have to crawl through, I actually could seal it up quickly... but it may still warn whatever is inside.  Which might have another way out."

* You find yourself standing rather near Ghelve's Locks.

Rayne says, "Ah I see. That's good to know."

Tygot says, "Could be that Ghelve's Locks was built atop it.  Or perhaps the bookstore."

Tygot says, "But it was right around here somewhere."

Rayne glances meaningfully at the party and says, "I think we can take it from here. I appreciate your help."

Ethkin mutters, "My money's on the Ghelves'."

Tygot says, "Thirty years ago, I could have taken you inside."

Tygot says, "But now..."

Tygot shrugs.

Jiona has to stifle a laugh behind a raised hand as they're lead back to this same spot.

Tygot says, "Be careful in Jzadirune, though.  If you find the way inside, be very wary.  I don't know if the curse is still active, but if it is..."

Calico rather expected the enterence to be around the lock shop, based on the prophecy.

Tygot says, "What a horrid fate.  I wouldn't wish it on anyone."

Tillandor says, "The curse of turning invisible.  Yes, let's avoid that one."

Rayne says, "Don't worry, we will."

Tygot says, "Not just invisible."

Jiona nods thankfully to Tygot for the warning.  "We'll be as careful as we can."

Rayne gives Tillandor a puzzled expression.

Ethkin brightens, "Did anyone get a look at Ghelve's teeth?"

Tygot says, "The way I hear it, once they were fully invisible, they ceased to be."

Tygot asks, "His teeth?"

Tygot asks, "Did he have them plated or something?"

Ethkin internally oopses.

Calico got pretty close to Ghelve, but didn't not anything about his teeth.

Jiona looks about as sheepish as a fox can manage.  "Um... oops.  I did not."

Rayne shakes his head and says, "Don't mind him. He is off in his own world at the moment."

* Ghelve's teeth were as nice as one would expect in this age.  Maybe a little nicer, even.

Rayne looks sternly at Ethkin, as if it would do any good.

* DM expects that Rayne or Calico would have noticed for sure.

Rayne says, "No his teeth were quite nice Ethkin."

Ethkin is oblivious to any looks or glances anyone might care to send him.

Tygot says, "Well, that's really all I can tell you.  Would you mind walking me back to my shop?  I heard there was a mugging a few nights ago."

Rayne says, "Certainly."

Calico mutters, "a few nights ago?  how about last night."

Tillandor says, "Of course.  Thanks for telling us what you know."

Rayne looks at the giant dog and says, "Although I doubt anyone would bother you with your dog nearby."

Tygot chuckles, "Are you kidding, Lepook's even a bit spooked.  Safety in numbers, they say."

Rayne nods, "I understand."

Calico scouts ahead in the general direction of Tygot's shop.

Lepook's expression betrays nothing.  He watches you all rather intently, but doesn't seem to be too perturbed.

Rayne walks with Tygot back towards his dwelling, hand straying near the handle of his sword ready for anything.

Jiona grins lightly, nodding her own understanding.  She also will help lead Tygot back to his place, although she does scent Lephook, wondering if he smells different than he appears, after Ethkin pointed out a while back that he was not all that he appeared.

* Despite Tygot's reservations, the walk back to his place is rather uneventful.

Tygot chuckles, "Well, thanks for walking me back.  You seem to have spooked any troublemakers that I might otherwise have met."

Rayne grins, "Well some troublemakers found my blade not to their liking a few nights back. I suspect they won't try it again anytime soon."

Tygot's eyebrow raises, "That was you?"

Rayne shrugs and says, "Well I couldn't leave good citizens to be stabbed by common criminals."

Tygot says, "Good show.  Glad to see there are some truly brave folks in the city."

Tygot sighs wistfully.

Rayne nods towards his companions, "We all do our fair share."

Rayne smiles knowingly and says, "I am sure there are plenty of adventures yet ahead."

Tygot says, "Well, keep me posted, I would love to be regaled with your adventures.  And Lepook always loves a good story."

Jiona nods back to Rayne with a smile.  "I don't think they liked my spear very much, either."

Tygot says, "I've always got a warm fire and, given notice, I can serve up some mean harebit stew."

Ethkin wonders if Lepook routs for the wolf in 'The Three Pigs'.

Rayne nods and says, "Thank you again for your help, I think we will take you up on that once we return with the children."

* Lepook looks meaningfully at Tygot.

Calico is divided between the prospect of harebit stew, and her preference to avoid the dog.

Tygot sees Lepooks look, "Good luck.  You are stout-hearted, you will prevail.  Lepook says good luck as well."

* Lepook almost seems to smile.

* calico = Lepook looks at you as he smiles, then looks away.

Tygot whoopses.

* DM whoopses.

Rayne smiles genuinely at Tygot and Lepook. "Thank you. We will return soon we hope."

Tygot says, "May the gods go with you."

Tygot says, "I must retire.  Goodnight."

Tillandor says, "Good night."

Rayne makes a sign of his deity and says, "May Kord watch over your house. Good night."

Tygot steps into his store and waves as Lepook slips by.

Jiona smiles softly, and performs a light curtsey towards Tygot and Lepook for their kind wishes.  "Thank you, and good night."

Rayne turns to the group and says, "Well I think we have enough to move forward. Everyone ready?"

Tygot smiles gently to Jiona, "Goodnight, lovely lady."

Calico Makes a forced grin to the dog as she leaves.

Tygot slips into his store and closes the door.

Ethkin nods.

Tillandor says, "I'm not really sure I'm the breaking-and-entering type, but we have to find out what's in that building."

Jiona nods definitively to Rayne.  "I am.  I think I can get us in, unless there are stronger defenses there than I'm anticipating."

Rayne nods, "I agree. Jiona you can make an entryway through the volcanic wall?"

Ethkin winces at his own imagination, "Why don't we just ask Ghelve if we can look in his basement?"

Rayne says, "I think its pretty obvious he is hiding something, and asking will only tip him off to our true intent."

Calico says, "somehow, I think he'd resist."

Jiona looks disbelievingly at Ethkin.  "Oh, that won't make him suspicious of us at all, I'm certain."

Ethkin says, "I know, I know."

Rayne says, "Shall we? and starts walking back to the shop."

Ethkin chuckles, "I wasn't really serious."

Rayne meant to pose the action...

Calico starts the return walk to the lock shop, "perhaps a back door entry?"

Jiona also starts walking along, nodding to Ethkin with a grin, then wonders, "Should we try to, mm, let ourselves in upstairs, or down lower?"

Rayne says, "Upstairs first I think. I want to know who went into the Orphanage."

Ethkin shrugs, "Well, the Thing is his 'guest' up stairs, but the entrance to the catacomes may be under his place. That's why I 'suggested' asking him about his basement."

Calico wonders, "how hard would the roof be to break through?"

Rayne asks Jiona, "Are there any limitations we should know about with your 'entryway' making skills?"

Jiona shakes her head to Calico.  "That'd have to use a more conventional method.  I can't do anything with wood."  Looking at Rayne, she considers.  "Well... there are always limitations.  I think I told you I can make a small hole that I can seal up quickly, or a larger one I won't be able to do much about.  Or two small holes in quick succession.  Quick being... hmm...  between 4 to 12 hours, I'd guess."

Tillandor chuckles.  "Not terribly quick."

Jiona oocly acks.  "That did not come out right."

Jiona oocly tries again.

* As you walk through the city streets, it is certainly getting darker.  The stars are starting to appear, and the moon is but a sliver on the horizon.

Jiona shakes her head to Calico.  "That'd have to use a more conventional method.  I can't do anything with wood."  Looking at Rayne, she considers.  "Well... there are always limitations.  I think I told you I can make a small hole that I can seal up quickly, or a larger one I won't be able to do much about.  Or two small holes in quick succession.  Once made, though, it'd take... hmm... between 4 to 12 hours to seal up any remaining holes, or to make more."

Calico says, "ah, new moon, perfect for sneaking about."

Rayne asks, "So you can only make 1 large hole every 4-12 hours?"

Jiona nods, "For now, yes.  A small hole would be... hm.  Depends on how much wall I'm digging through.  Maybe two feet wide and tall, and a foot deep."

Rayne says, "Well I suppose we will have to try and get in the building, and then take things as normal from there."

Calico says, "for looking small is good.  for getting in, we have some not so small peoples here."

Rayne picks up the pace a little, striding quickly towards the shop.

Tillandor asks, "So the plan is what... that we tunnel through the wall, and hope we don't run right into Ghelve?"

Ethkin asks, "Or worse?"

Calico eyes the space between the shop and the building next to it, "less likely to be seen if we enter through that wall."

Rayne says, "We will have to take it as it comes. I don't think we have many other options."

Jiona nods uncomfortably.  "I can look ahead of time, but it means only one small hole, until at least four hours have gone by."

Rayne says, "And if you could use your fog ability, less likely we will be seen tunneling either."

Calico begins focusing to cast obscuring mist.

Calico says, "just point me where you want to work."

Rayne looks around to make sure there aren't any guards or observers before starting their work.

DM asks, "Which side of the building are we talking?  The left (the way you came in) or the right?"

Jiona checks the exterior of the building, looking for a good way up to the second story from outside, and the best area to try to make a tunnel.

Ethkin says, "Wait."

Calico says, "I'm thinking right, closer to the room behind the curtain."

Rayne asks, "How about the back - behind where the curtain was?"

Jiona, not having done anything yet, looks inquisitively at Ethkin.

Ethkin asks, "Do we know the gnome is in kahoots with this thing?"

* The exterior of the building is rough, and provides some handholds for climbing.  The upper floor has windows on each side of the building.

Calico says, "the mist won't last long, so we need to be ready to go before I cast."

Jiona replies, "One hundred percent?  No.  We have a string of coincidences.  And yes, we're planning a break-in based upon what we've found so far, because we don't have anything else to go from."

Rayne says, "Well he hasn't turned it in, he is hiding something, his house sits on the entrance, and the intruder is living in his home."

Ethkin says, "For all we know, Gelve himself didn't even know it was up stairs. It's fear may have been for being discovered at all, not just by us."

Rayne says, "Well if he doesn't have anything to do with it - I am sure he will be grateful."

Ethkin shrugs, "I hope you're right."

Rayne asks, "Would YOU want a kidnapper hiding in your house?"

Tillandor says, "Let's not find out, I think."

Jiona explains, "If Gelve doesn't know, then we have to fix whatever damage we've caused, but we at least had evidence that lead us this direction.  If he does know, then I am disinclined to warn him that we're on his trail."

Calico is ready to go, whenever the plan is ready.

Rayne asks, "Jiona did you find any likely spots?"

DM says, "I think we're pausing here."

DM says, "Define 'good spot'."

DM says, "I need some criteria."

Ethkin asks, "For?"

Rayne asks, "Oh for making a hole in the 2nd floor?"

DM asks, "Right.  What is the definition of a 'Good spot' to dig through a wall?"

Ethkin says, "No, DM's criteria."

DM says, "I think we'll find out the answer to that next week."

CategoryCauldron