Fortune's Favor II (IC)

[WindStruck]

"Ah right... lets go somewhere else before we're seen?" The man known as Elias consistently seemed to make fine points...

[Fishies]

"I don't know if I can pass for human or a supporter of any murderer's cause. If we use that plan, then I suppose I should be one of the people covering the escape routes. Hmm, Elias. When did the murder happen? Maybe we can still get a matching boot-print with the prints at the scene of the crime... although if we try that approach, we'd better hurry before it rains. Elias, when you're talking to them, get a good look at their boots! Well, I'd better go and get into position now then..."

[Kelvin360]

Orin, Santino and Adrexah all become aware of a set of footsteps approaching their position. It sounds like the individual in question is wearing plate mail.

[WindStruck]

The soft, distant clattering of what sounded like someone clanking along in armor, behind from the way they just came, immediately sets Adrexah on edge. She tries to whisper urgently, "Someone's coming!"

[Fishies]

At Adrexah's warning, Eubert turns around to face the apparent source of the noise.

[Kelvin360]

It takes a few moments after the noise becomes apparent for the source to reveal itself. It's Samnang, hefting a longsword in one hand and a shield in the other. He glances around, then eyes the building suspiciously. "You seem to be ahead. What's all this?"

[WindStruck]

Adrexah seems quite confused by the man's appearance. "...Samnang? We were tracking down some suspects... What are you doing here?"

[Kelvin360]

"You aren't all the most inconspicuous group. I saw you leave when I came from the tavern." He scratches his unadorned neck before continuing. "I assumed you'd found something important."

[WindStruck]

"It's more like a possible lead... do we really stand out that much?" She tilts his head to him thinking about it herself. Yeah, it was probably true, though she'd have to see it for herself to fully understand the presence they make.

[AquilaRift]

"We probably do. Eubert, you said the house seems empty. Let's take advantage of the fact and head somewhere else to make a proper plan..." .

[Kelvin360]

Samnang quickly holds up a hand to forestall them. "There is no need. This house is officially vacant; anyone can come and go as they please."

[WindStruck]

Spoiler

Show

Sense motive on Samnang's previous statement: (1d20+3)[16]
Then another for the response: (1d20+3)[4]

A hint of suspicion with a mix of confusion fills Adrexah's voice. "What? How do you know? Did you not just arrive in this town?"

[Kelvin360]

"I was only recently within the tavern. They excel at bandying the latest news. They mentioned strange happenings here. I assume you have heard the same, yes?"

Spoiler: Adrexah

Show

He appears to be telling the truth about the house.

As for the tavern story, unknown.

[WindStruck]

Adrexah slowly faces the others, almost as if she expected they knew something as well. "Er... strange happenings?"

[AquilaRift]

"...None other than the presence of the suspected killers, that I know of. What have you heard?" Elias turns to face Samnang.

[Kelvin360]

"Men clad in armor sneaking in here at night, mostly. That this one is being used is enough for most people. It is supposedly abandoned, remember?"

[WindStruck]

"Mmm..." the elf mumbles emphatically. "Shall we, uh... not stand out in the open? Maybe stake out this place then?"

[AquilaRift]

"Good idea. If they are here illicitly and don't own the house, well, we can hardly be thrown out."

[Fishies]

Eubert nods. "Well then, that sounds like a plan. Let's move into position."

[WindStruck]

"Right... but maybe I should have a walk around first..." If there's any time at all, Adrexah slowly walks around the house, trying to get an idea of its structure and the landscape just outside of it. Chino follows closely behind her, sometimes stopping to examine things he finds interesting.

[Kelvin360]

Spoiler: Adrexah

Show

The back of the building appears to have an unusual growth. A hard object, close to the ground, that rattles if it is struck.

[WindStruck]

Well, this is interesting... Adrexah kneels down, bringing her face much closer to the thingamajig, listening to it when still and also when agitated and carefully feeling around its surface.

Spoiler

Show

listen: (1d20+14)[15]
knowledge nature: (1d20+6)[14] if natural
otherwise intuition: (1d20+3)[11] ...what does she think it is?

[Kelvin360]

Spoiler: Adrexah

Show

Your hand moves over an old, semi-smooth surface. It feels and smells wooden. Your fingers brush past cold metal links the thickness of one of your fingers, which seem to be the source of the noise. Then, a gap in the wood, moving upward and downward to where the object ends vertically, but a small one, ended almost instantly by a continuation of the wood until you reach the horizontal stopping point.

If you had to guess, you'd say it was some kind of opening, maybe a chest or door, that's been padlocked shut.

[WindStruck]

The lights go on in Adrexah's head. What she'd found was an entrance to a cellar. Probably.

She continues meandering around the house in the same fashion, for now...

Spoiler

Show

When there's nothing else she'll tell the others of the door thing.

Suppose I should also add this... just listening around, you know, in case maybe there really was someone inside the house or someone nearby.

(1d20+14)[27]

[AquilaRift]

Elias raises a hand. "Shall we try to enter? There may be useful things inside."

[Kelvin360]

"Do we speak of items or information this time?" Samnang asks idly. "Personally, I only hope we don't interrupt anyone at dinner."

Spoiler: Adrexah

Show

Now you can hear some sort of clanking noise from within the house. It sounds quite similar to the sounds that Eubert's plate makes when he moves around.

[WindStruck]

After freezing briefly due to the noise, Adrexah picks up her pace back towards the others.

"Dinner or not, there's someone in there like you describe - in heavy armor it seems. Then again, I don't think people eat dinner while wearing full plate... I wouldn't be surprised if they saw me or are already aware of us by now."

[AquilaRift]

"Information, I would hope, though items like a murder weapon could also -- " He hears Adrexah's words. "Oh, dear. Not a word about the murder, all right? We're here to investigate the rumors of strange men sneaking about, if we're noticed. Best if he underestimates what we suspect."

[WindStruck]

Adrexah prods, "I'm curious, just how long have you three been in town working with the mayor? Don't you think these men will recognize you?"

The assumption is they've been here longer than she, Eubert, and Samnang, which is probably too long.

[AquilaRift]

"We've been pursuing our current course only a few days. My companions are new to Fortune's Favor. I don't think we've had time to accumulate much reputation. Adrexah, Santino, Orin -- can any of you sneak in?"