Parolanta’s eyes go wide at Tellior’s response, “Well, I am truly sorry. I didn’t know that was going to happen.” Then more quietly, she mutters, “He certainly still has his bite!” and she flies over to the hedge a few feet from the door and perches on a branch there as you all investigate. 

Kellen listens carefully at the door. It seems quiet for a moment, but then he just barely hears what sounds like a stifled sob from far within. Examining the lock, it appears to have melted, although the gnome isn’t sure of the cause. Meanwhile, Tellior peers past the gnome and can see that the shop within seems to be in disarray, at least from the small slice that is visible. Triss can’t really see past the other two.

(What would you like to do?)

"Arm yourselves. This stinks of an ambush."

Ember closed his eyes took a deep breath, opened his eyes, and then opened them again kicking the door open.

(Using divine sense (i know locations of any fiends celestials or undead within 30 feet of me.) And kicking door open)

"It's a mess in there..."  Tellior's comment - again punctuated by a slight whistle-like sound at which he cringes - is cut off as Ember pushes through him and Kellen, to kick the already slightly opened door.

He steps calmly through the door - not arming himself.  After saying a brief prayer to Melil and making a quick gesture,  he looks around the room to see if he sees anyone inside.

(Casting Guidance and then using the bonus for Perception: 9)

16 investigation  (passive 14)

Celesta looks cautiously around, and approaches the door to peak inside.  

passive perception 12. 

"Hang on, wait-" Triss tries to get the others to stop before they force open the door. But they're already gone. With a sigh, they slide their longbow off their shoulder and follow after their friends, now drifting toward the back of the group. They're best equipped for distance, even though they absolutely hate letting their friends go first. "At least some sort of a plan first, guys," they mutter under their breath, a sharp shake of their head. "We really oughta get better 'bout that..."

“It sounds like there is someone still in there, they may be hurt” Kellen starts, then moves away as Ember pushes forward into the shop.  “After you, Ember” he sighs and follow him and Tellior into the shop.

“Hello, Frendamus?  Are you here, are you hurt?’ he calls out while looking around at the mess in the shop, looking for any danger, any staining that looks similar to what he found on the door, and anything bright and shiny he may find tempting. 

Perception 9

Investigation 26

"Frendamus tacktallow! We are here to find you on the orders of lady deneliean."

As Ember kicks in the door, he does not sense any fiends, celestials, or undead in the vicinity. When the door crashes open, you all hear a strangled cry of surprise that is quickly cut off, followed by some rustles and a quiet clunk. As you enter the shop, you don’t see any occupants, but you do see shoes on display everywhere: well-made leather boots, delicate satin slippers, woven wool slip-ons with leather soles, and more. Some are simple, practical shoes and others have detailed embroidered, beaded, or hand-tooled decorations. Many are scattered messily on counters and on the floor. It looks to Celesta as though someone was searching through the shop for something in particular. When Kellen and Ember call out Frendamus’ name, you hear a muffled whimper from behind the main work counter in the back of the shop.

“Can we help you?  What happened?” Celesta says with deep concern.

She follows the sound of the whimper to the back of the shop.

Tellior briefly glances over all the various footware for just a moment.  But he quickly follows after Celesta as she moves towards the sound of whimpering and the back counter. 

Muttering about ambushes ember followes the sound keeping an eye out for danger 8

When Celesta and Tellior seek the source of the whimpering behind the back counter, you see a large cabinet that isn’t quite shut. Opening the door, you see an older gnome cowering there, a shock of white hair upon his head and a short silver and white beard. He startles a bit and lets out a sob. “It’s no good. Nothing to be done. I’m finished,” he says. “The Lady will be furious.” He covers his face and continues crying.

Tellior takes a step forward, giving the gnome a smile. "We were sent to see how you were doing Frendamus. Perhaps if you tell us what happened we can figure something out."

Kellen helps the older gnome out of the cabinet  “Interesting decorating style you have here, how do you ever find anything?”

As Tellior asks the gnome what happened, Kellen looks around to see if he can determine where the sound of the rustles and the clunk were coming from, or if it indicated someone else was hiding in the shop.

Perception 5

Investigation 17

Standing with his back to the gnome ember drew an obsidion tipped javelin standing prepared to impale any threats

Celesta says”‘I’m sure we can find a way to make it better-  let us help!” 

"You are frendamus i presume? Were you attacked? Why will the lady be angry?"

"We want to help you"

Triss follows the others, bow still drawn and at the ready. They do get a little distracted by all the shoes on display, their attention drawn by one particularly splendid pair of embroidered slippers. But they remember they're actually in the middle of something soon enough and whirl around quickly to catch up to the rest. Only to end up knocking into the counter with a soft thud. "Ow," they mumble, releasing their grip on their bow to rub at their shin. How graceful. Sliding into the place beside Tellior, they notice the gnome for the first time - and that he's in the middle of some serious sobbing. "Oh. Oh, no. Not crying, sir, please don't cry."

As you all reach out to Frendamus with kind words and gestures, he comes out of the cabinet. (Kellen realizes that the sounds were probably from the gnome trying to hide from you all.) He wipes his eyes and says, “You are very kind to offer me assistance, but it is hopeless. Lady Daneliean has commissioned slippers from me and when I can’t present them to her, she will be displeased to put it mildly. I will live out the rest of my days in some dank dungeon. I’m sure of it.” He sighs and holds out his hands as if to allow you to tie them. “You may as well take me in to my doom. I will try to be brave.” He looks around the store. “It was a good life I had for many, many years. That will have to sustain me as I wither away in the darkness.”

"Did something go wrong with the slippers? And if you go to a dungeon they would have to take me too."