Cimri shrugs at Ilshin, as he reaches for the door.

"Alright, alright," the fat man says. "We'll get him. He's right over there in the--hey! Who are you?" The fat man points an accusing finger at Ilshin as he reaches for the door.

"This whole thing has smelled fishy to me!" the bald man says. "Who the bloody hells are you lot?"

"Louslik, watch out! We've got intruders!"

"No you don't," Vanna shouts back, "That's an investigator assigned to our team. Now is a little late to get proactive about your security. Louslik, get out here! Now!"

Deception: 20

Leaning in to Brana she whispers, "Please tell me that is some one with us."

The door to the office suddenly flies open and standing in the doorframe is a middle-aged human man with a long ponytail, holding a large crossbow, pointed down. "What the hell is going on out here?"

Ilshin sighs, and stands up. As he does he rubs his thumb over a crystal in his signet ring, and moves his hand to shape a shield. Then he mumbles to himself in Drow.

Casts: Mage Armor  

"A ponytail? Really?" Ilshin says. "To each his own I suppose. Now, to be clear, we are going to accomplish what we came here to do. You can puff your chest out and attempt to achieve a semblance of severe resoluteness but that is only going to end badly for you, and we will still achieve our goals. It is your choice, stand to the side and let us have what we desire and then we will be on our way. Or get in our way, suffer greatly for it, and then let us have what we desire and watch us go on our way as you lick your wounds."

Zaradius moves his hand slowly back to his sword, keeping a close eye on the man that threw the door open. 

(Wasn't someone planning on completing the objective while we created a distraction?)

(Except pretty much everyone has been seen now)

(Breaking away should still be an option, unless we've just decided to let that sail. I mean it does look like we could take these guys.)

Brana grimaces and pulls out her official and very much authentic badge from House Thrune and displays it prominently.

"Suspicious my ass.  This is my last warnin'.  Any o' you make a move for your weapons, me and my friends are going to brain you for your insubordination."

The bald and fat man make a break for it, heading towards the main gate, calling out for the guards.

Ilshin, roll Intimidation for me, with advantage from help from your allies.

Ilshin does his best to look menacing, not something he has ever practiced. He's just used to people doing what he says out of fear of his family's position and his noble bearing.

Intimidation: 20  

Zaradius sighs and moves to reach back all the way for his great sword, looking towards the two fleeing men as his hand touches the hilt. "So is this going to be a fight or are you going to do what you are told?"

Ilshin, your little speech does the trick. "Alright," he puts his crossbow down, dropping it to the floor. "I don't want any trouble."

The two fleeing men stop, and hold up their hands. "We're unarmed!" the bald man says.

"Just don't hurt us!" the fat man says.

Ilshin smiles at 'ponytail' and claps him on his shoulder. 

"Wisely chosen friend," Ilshin says and steps into the office. "Now, you help us and we're out of your way in no time. My understanding is that this tannery has been quite delinquent in remitting adequate tax revenue to the local authorities. That must be placing an awful burden and a great deal of stress on your shoulders. Let's balance the ledger this evening, shall we. Show us the cache of wealth hiding in this office, we remove what's fair, and the guilt weighing you down will be removed."

Ilshin looks around the office for anything resembling a lock box, safe or the like.

Perception: 6   

Calling out in the direction of the two who ran. "You two! Back here. You will wait with me in case we need you."

Louslik follows you in, Ilshin, and goes over to his desk. He produces a key from his pockets and opens up a drawer, pulling out a simple but sturdy lockbox, and hands it over to you. "This is what you want, isn't it?"

Meanwhile, outside, the bald man and the fat man make their way back to the group. "Yes, ma'am, sorry ma'am."

Ilshin takes the key from Louslik and looks down at the lockbox.

"Ah, the comportment of a true gentleman, you have," Ilshin says to Louslik. "Now stand over by the door and allow my burly companion to enter."

Before using the key, Ilshin does a quick look at the lock to make sure it's not trapped. If this was his lock box, Ilshin would have been sure to set up at least a poisoned needle.

Perception: 12   

Louslik goes to wait by the doorway as Ilshin examines the box. It appears to be untrapped.

Brana leans over to Vanna, murmuring quietly "Let's let the others do their work and keep these guys busy at the far end of the yard."   Turning towards the guards, she raises her voice again.  "Well well.  Looks like my companions have got that covered, so why don't you gentlemen give us a good ol' tour o' the tanning vats?  At your leisure," Brana drawls, still waiting impatiently.  She nods at the huge structures to the south.

(NB:  Brana has Brewer's Supplies tool proficiency.  According to XGTE, this mean she has a knowledge of how to purify water.  Since tanning involves possibly distilled water, I'm hoping this will give her some sort of edge to sound like she knows what she's doing / look for faults in the vats while potentially taking this "vat tour".)

Ilshin feels relatively confident he's not about to poison himself by opening the lock box but he still takes a breath first. Then he inserts the key and turns it in the lock.