The Wrong Guys IC

[Nanoblack]

Llaars

As he scurries about in the cramped tunnel, he twists his head as much as possible to call out to his allies. "Hey! I found some stuff down here! Anybody got a light? There's some papers with squiggles on em!"

Spoiler

Show

If it's possible to finish searching the rest of the cave without a light source, he'll do it. Otherwise he'll back out with what objects he's found so far.

[Ajadea]

Unless you're interested in rocks, bricks, or bits of rat turd, as far as you can tell, there doesn't seem to BE anything else to find.

[Strawberries]

"So, if he was taken by magic....It can't have been the doing of the paladins. Most likely this was the work of whoever was allied with the witch...."

"It is likely, yes." Audric answers. Thank Aldaran for small mercies he thinks to himself. He doesn't want to think of what he would have done if the Order was responsible for capturing Antal's friend.

When Llaars calls out to them, he turns towards him "Squiggles? Wait, let me see them" he says, gesturing towards Rana and Antal to come see as well.

[Jallorn]

I'll take that, thank you, says Aran as he snatches Paral's money from Llaars. He let's the others take the lead on the parchments, but he does try and remember if Paral had any parchment lately.

[Ajadea]

Antal

Spoiler

Show

If he did, he never mentioned it to you.

[Strawberries]

Audric leans over Laars' shoulder to take a look to the parchments he mentioned.

Spoiler

Show

I'm not really sure what I should roll...ignore the not-relevant rolls.
decipher script - (1d20+1)[8]
knowledge religion - (1d20+3)[12]

EDIT: wait, or did I simply need a spot check? In that case please, could you roll it for me? My modifier is +3

[Ajadea]

I think the dice roller has taken pity on you, actually...

Audric

Spoiler

Show

There's a pattern. It might be a map, if people drew maps with charcoal stubs and mashed flower petals, instead of ink.

Then again, it could also be a unique representation of a cobweb.

Map's probably more likely, though.

[Savannah]

While the others are busy with what they've found, Rana keeps an eye out for anyone approaching or watching the group.

Spoiler

Show

Spot (1d20+8)[20]
Listen (1d20+8)[20]

[Strawberries]

Audric frowns in concentration, tracing the signs with his finger, without actually touching the parchment "That looks interesting." He motions at Laars to lower the parchement so that Antal can see it too. "It's crudely drawn, but I think it could be a map."

OOC:

Spoiler

Show

Uhm...can I tell what is it a map of?

Also:

I think the dice roller has taken pity on you, actually...

Wait, was it the decipher script or knowledge check that did it or should I ask you to roll for me more often?

[Ajadea]

Rana

Spoiler

Show

There do seem to be some people shooting you (specifically you, more than the rest of the group), odd looks as they walk by. Admittedly the rest of the group is not exempt. You don't see warblades every day, and most bartenders don't have a vested interest in assisting a paladin's investigations.

[Ajadea]

Uhm...can I tell what is it a map of?

Do you know of any spiderwebby passages that appear to be layered and likely cover an extensive amount of space?

Wait, was it the decipher script or knowledge check that did it or should I ask you to roll for me more often?

The latter, natural 20 on the Spot check actually . I think the dice roller thought I was your ally. It's wrong.

[Savannah]

Rana fidgets slightly. "Have you found everything? I'd rather not spend any longer here than we have to. Don't want anyone getting nosy."

[Strawberries]

OOC

Spoiler

Show

Do you know of any spiderwebby passages that appear to be layered and likely cover an extensive amount of space?

Yes, actually. Uh-oh.

I think the dice roller thought I was your ally. It's wrong.

And it was a correct assumption, right?
*notices white text*
Dammit!

Audric nods almost absent-mindedly at Rana's words. He is still focused on the map, trying to make sense of it. His gray eyes are narrowed as he tries to follow the lines on the map.
"If those are passages they seem to intersect a lot. Look at how chaotic they are - and it seems there are multiple layers, too." he mumbles, half to himself and half to the others. Then, in a more confident tone of voice "I think this could be a map of the sewers."

[Savannah]

Rana perks up at this, and moves to look at the map over Audric's shoulder.

....okay, probably over his arm, as she's really short. But you know what I mean.

[Nanoblack]

Llaars

Llaars looks happy with his findings, but is still slightly perplexed. "Well what good's a map if we don't know where we're going?"

[Jallorn]

Guys, I'm getting uncomfortable staying in one place too long. Honestly, I feel like this city could explode any minute. Can we go somewhere else? We've already gotten everything of value here, none of you have ever seen Antal quite this agitated. It probably has something to do with his friend being missing.

[Strawberries]

Spoiler

Show

OOC: okay, then. Savannah, just so you know, I'm prepared for fierce opposition. Do your worst, I have a counter-argument for anything. I hope.

Antal's words finally divert Audric's attention from the map. "That would probably be for the best" he agrees, nodding. "Llaars, you're right, too. We have yet to figure this out. Those three marks, here" He points them out "Could mean something, or be just random splotches - the only way of knowing is attempting to follow the map, I fear".

He folds the parchment and looks up a the sky, gauging the hour of the day. "We can't go down there now - it will be dark soon, and last time was bad enough in the full light of day. Llaars, if you would be so kind to let us use your tavern again, we could sleep there.".
He doesn't want to go back to the temple and face the unconfortable questions just now. And speaking of the temple... he purses his lips before adding "I do need to make a report to my superiors: the Order has to know about that witch's house. I'll write them a letter. Could you arrange for some of your staff to deliver it to the temple?"

[Savannah]

Rana had been nodding her agreement to Audric's plans until he mentioned the Order. "And what, exactly, are you planning on telling them?" she asks, her voice tense.

[Strawberries]

Audric shuts his eyes briefly. "That there is a powerful, evil sorceress loose in the city" he answers, tightly "That I, with the help of some allies, have managed to draw her out of her house, and that they should send someone to cleanse said house." His expression softens "Do you honestly think I would mention you?"

[Savannah]

Rana looks shocked for a moment, "Of course not!"

"But you are planning to send the paladins to the house? Where they might find evidence of Ranias? Or evidence that leads them in the same direction we're going? You know they'll come in without mercy to anyone, even those who are just trying to keep their heads down and survive. And if they do find Ranias -- or me -- do you think your fate when they find out what you have done will be any better than ours?"

[Strawberries]

"No. But what my fate will be is my problem entirely." He looks sad, but also quite determined. "Rana, that's a risk we have to take. There is powerful magic in that house, and we do not have the resources to deal with it, not if we want to go find Antal's friend. That sorceress could return, and start torturing people all over again. I won't - I can't put innocent people at risk to protect myself."

[Savannah]

Rana starts to open her mouth, closes it, and frowns. "I suppose that is true. And if that sorceress does come back.....well, I'd rather it was the paladins rather than me trespassing in her house...." She sighs. "I suppose it is the best route."

OOC

Spoiler

Show

Well, I thought that was going to be a longer arguement....but she really hopes the witch will return, kill a number of paladins, and finally be defeated, without any of us needing to be involved

[Strawberries]

Spoiler

Show

OOC: Eheh, who said lawful good and true neutral don't work well togheter?
Anyway:

she really hopes the witch will return, kill a number of paladins, and finally be defeated, without any of us needing to be involved

Hah! Fat chance of that happening.

"That..." Audric frowns, then decides to shut up. "Well, it is our job as paladins to put ourself at risk to protect people.". He looks at Llaars, and Antal "Let's go back to Llaar's. I'll write my letter there. "

[Savannah]

Rana nods.

OOC

Spoiler

Show

I said hopes, not expects

[Jallorn]

When they get to Llaar's tavern, Antal sort of collapses onto one of the seats, slumping down, and making himself look even shorter. His face has a sort of bewildered look on it, and he opens his mouth as if to speak, but says nothing, several times.

[Savannah]

Rana looks around the group. "Unless you need me, I'll be....Llaars, is there a room I can use?"

OOC: Thanks She'll be off somewhere private unless someone goes to check on her or the group needs her.

[Strawberries]

Audric takes off his gauntlets to have better mobility and starts to take inkpen and paper from his backpack, then stops noticing Antal's expression. "Antal. What is it?". He is almost certain he knows, but maybe the halfling would feel better if he talks.

((OOC: And Savannah ninja'd me. You asocial druid. ))

[Jallorn]

Did I mention her powers were stolen?

[Savannah]

((OOC: And Savannah ninja'd me. You asocial druid. ))

I want to be in this conversation....but it's what she'd do....

[Nanoblack]

Llaars

Upon entering the building, the burly inkeeper immediately sets to work as if it were just a normal day. He smiles at the druid's meek question."Yeah, we got plenty of space. I think we got one or two in the back on the right that just got cleaned up. You're welcome to either one." He starts to go back to work, but catches himself before Rana makes it through the door. "You might wanna knock first. Just in case... it might've been occupied while I've been gone."

A minute or so later, he arrives at Antal and Audric's table holding a tray of mugs on one hand and two pitchers, one containing water and the other containing ale. He sets them down on the table just as Antal speaks. "How the hell do you steal somethin' like that?"