Through the forest and over the prairie I have traveled, quiver full of fletched arrows, bow strapped across my chest, swords close to my hands should I need them. A few bugs in my nappy hair in case I need a snack. A wood elf in worn leathers approaches the wizard's tower. Such as it is.

He peers through the slit in the door frame hoping to let his elf eyes catch a glimpse of the interior within. "Hello," Sathalvir (SUH-thal-veer) says, weary from the road. "Is anyone home?"

"On moment gentlemen, I've just seen something very strange." Theodore moves to the couch and to Croak say "Please excuse the interruption but could you give me a hand"  as he attempts to find the source of the strange foot he saw.

investigation: 5

"Something strange? Here? No way..."

Croak assists Theodore with his Investigation:7

Theodore and Croak begin looking under the edge of the couch but whatever or whomever is under there scurries out of view each time you try to look.  Eventually Croak tires of this game and simply tips the couch over.  An elderly man, that you all recognize from the tavern as Tamm, immediately leaps to his feet and books it for the door.

Sathalvir, your travel was long and tiring, but you finally reached a town.  You followed the river, and as you approached the town, your eyes were drawn to a large black tower near the center of town.  Passing by many houses and shops, you figure that an important person lives here and you approach; calling out your name.  You look for any window slits but find that the entire building appears to be made out of a single piece of black stone.

You find instead a door, and approach.  As you begin to walk up; the door flings open and an elderly, yet spry, man runs out of the door and almost into you.  You hear cursing at the person from an elder voice inside, including the name Tamm.  

You now find yourself in the doorway of the tower, with a large group and what appears to be a party inside.  You see several older people and what appears to be a group of adventurers, now standing in shock of the encounter with the fleeing man.

Nathan immediately checks all his belongings to see if anything is missing, then asks the others: "How could Tamm sneak in without any of us noticing? I have heard stories about him, you should all check your things. Good thing the defenses of the tower were disarmed otherwise he could have gotten hurt!" He turns to the two older rogues: "He must have been eavesdropping as well. Am I right in presuming that for a few coins he would tell what he has heard to anyone? Because in this case we must act as if Kyristan already knew about everything..."

 "we must really watch are selves in this place very closely for people like that" The Priestly Goblin said 

Croak bolts after the man, leaving his gear behind. 

Athletics:18

If Croak doesn't catch the man before, he will give up pursuit upon reaching the alleged haunted house.

Dar replies to Nathan's statement about the tower defenses, loudly.  "Good thing!?  The good thing would have been him being blown to smithereens!  Do you know how many DECADES that slithering thief has troubled me?  If only this town would just let me eradicate him like the pest he is!"  Dar storms out the tower, yelling and making lude gestures at Tamm as he runs away.

Jack replies to Nathan; "Aye, anything worth a coin or anything he can get for free; need or no, Tamm wants it and will use it."

Sathalvir, moments after the old man flies by, a large seven foot tall muscular man runs passed as well; followed by an older gentleman in plain gray and faded black breeches, shirt, and coat.  He curses with vile intent.  You also notice your quiver feels lighter.

Croak, you put all your might and strength into your pursuit; but somehow this old man infront of you moves like greased lightning, every step fluid and precise.  You lose track of him behind an abandoned house, its yard overgrown.  You slow as you realize that this must be the haunted house; though it looks like a normal house to you.

Shalech once again checks his pack, to make sure the tome is still there.  Then he checks his coin purse.

After taking account of his possessions, Shalech will also run out of the tower and follow Croak, just in case he caught Tamm.  When Shalech catches up with Croak, he says, "That old man has probably been doing this his whole life.  And he knows the town, you don't.  The odds were stacked against you."  Noticing Croak looking at an old house instead of where Tamm most likely fled, Shalech asks, "Why are you so focused on that house?  Did Tamm go in there?"

Urselles sighs as Croak runs out the door, then she looks at Isa "I should probably catch up to, but thank you very much for your hospitality" Urselles is about to leave when turns back "uh, where is the huanted house"

Nathan and Shalech both find that their possessions are intact, though Han points out that a vase is missing.  Under the couch there also appears to be an entire tray of small gravied meats, half of which are eaten.

"Just look to the right after you step outside dear, you'll see it."  Isa says with a smile.

"thank you" Urselles quickly follows the directions hoping she would find her ally

Upon turning just outside, you see Shalech and Croak stopped, looking at an abandoned house infront of them.  You also see a well travelled wood elf standing next to the tower in surprise.

Nathan says a quick goodbye to those who are still in the tower, and follows the others. As he walks out the tower and sees the elf, he greets him: "Welcome  traveler! My name is Nathan. Are you looking for Master Dar? He is right inside the tower. Sorry for the turmoil  but my friends are chasing a thief, and I will also be on my way!" 

"So this is the haunted house huh? That eavesdropping man ran in there. If we are going in, I need to retrieve my gear."

Upon passing Urselles, "Look for any signs of spookiness, I'll be right back"

Croak barely makes eye contact with the wood elf outside the tower.

Croak retrieves his gear and dons his armor, asking Isa "Any reason we shouldnt just kick the door down to that old abandoned house?" Then returns outside the abandoned house after hearing her response.

"Um..." Replies Isa to Croak.  "It's probably unlocked."

(Just a note, Croak didn't see Tamm go into the house, he saw him run behind and around it to the other side, where you lost sight of him.)

Croak returns with his gear, ready for any danger.  He walks up towards the front door; it sits there worn from the weather and misuse, likely left abandoned for years.  The remaining pale blue paint now shed upon the grass and ground around the former home.

Nathan, you run up upon the yard, thick with overgrowth.  You see Croak approaching the front entrance.

Urselles, the elf seems worn from travels and numbed by the sudden encounter with Tamm and most of the party.  You also notice that Croak is about to go into the haunted house.

Shalech, the house looks benign enough, you see no movement inside or around the building.  You wonder on what dangers lay inside, but you also ponder on if Dar would actually kill Tamm if given the opportunity.

Theodore, you stand still in surprise, the last of this new group to remain inside the tower.  You stare in wonder at the half eaten tray of food that was hidden beneath the couch with noone seeing a thing.

Sathalvir, weariness and surprise has momentarily overwhelmed you, but you are now starting to refocus due to the commotion going on around you.

Sathalvir pivots gracefully, and takes a step back, confused but entertained by the spry old man darting outside. The wood elf keeps his sights on the old one for several yards, before turning toward the party inside the black tower. "Is he safe? Shall I follow him?"

Just say the word and he'll push off the foot he's positioned for a running start.

Shalech thinks to himself, Haunted houses... possible but likely there's other explanations.  Probably someone that wants people to think it's haunted so they can do inappropriate things without interference.

Speaking to Croak, Shalech says, "If you want to go in there and see what's up, I'll do what I can to help.  If it really is haunted, which I doubt, it would be good to have a priest with us."