"It is certainly starting to feel like this town is far from empty."  Triäsa says.  She casts a quick glance over at Ludolf. "Though I suppose it could all be illusions. But if so, to what ends?"

She wanders over towards the south window to see if she sees anything.  (Perception: 18)

"Mmm. Could you lot be a bit more casual about the thing stalkin' out there? Maybe invite it in for a spa and rub-down?"

Where Triasa wanders to one window, Daventry hustles to another facing the same direction, to see if she can get an angle on it.

Perception: 6 

If she doesn't see anything, she will motion towards the door behind the counter. 

Triäsa and Daventry looking at the windows you see nothing but a light rain falling to the ground. The sun obscured by rain clouds casts an eerie shadows which dance across the ground.

The door behind the counter opens easily toward you. At one point this led to a storage room but it has long since collapsed and barred any further passage. The roof above has collapsed down exposing the area to the outside if you were to climb the rubble. You do not see any creatures or any trace of movement.

"If it was illusions," Pardot says, "Wouldn't that mean there is someone, or some thing, creating them?"

Triäsa glances at Daventry as they both see nothing. "Well, we do not seem to be seeing anything from in here. Is there any reason to stick around? I say we all head out together, and be wary, just in case the thud on roof was something real."

As she passes by Pardot, she nods at his comment.  "Right. Even if we are seeing illusions, we should be worried about the source."

She heads back over to the items Ludolf discovered.  "I would not mind keeping these swords, they are rather beautiful. I think we ought to hang on to the rest too."

She picks up the swords, and places them in her pack for the moment.  She looks to see if anyone is going to take the shield or iron bars.

"Perhaps we should bring these with us." Ludolf says, showing Daventry the things he discovered (Post #1488).

"I believe the illusions are used to either scare us away or simply to separate us to make us easier targets, but I agree, there is definitely something still here in this town creating these illusions, likely the creature or creatures responsible for the disappearences, possibly something that has entered through that portal or possibly was set free by that cave-in in the mine." Ludolf says to the others.

You could climb out the back door and up the rubble to the roof. It actually would not be hard to do. Looking at the roof you are pretty sure it will hold you but if someone else climbed up the structure would almost certainly collapse. If you would like to do so make a perception check.

To Ludolf: "Seems Tri's taken a likin' to the blades. I can sling the shield for now. The iron, though, probably isn't worth the weight to carry, though you're welcome to it if you want."

Daventry ties the shield to the tie-off on her bandolier, securing it across her back. As Klin goes up, she goes back out, poking her head out the door to check the surroundings from the ground level before leaving the shop, as well as looking for signs of other former shops.

Perception: 21

She appears ready to move to the next building, the Stonemason.

"I still believe it to be pointless to chase after all these noises. Let's just continue with our investigation now, please." Ludolf says, motioning for everyone to stick close together and following Daventry to the Stonemason.
Perception: 22 Investigation: 9

DM Roll: 24

Klin climbs out onto the rubble nimbly hopping onto the roof. As walk carefully along the brittle structure you see clearly the ruins of village before you as well as the road as it branches in the northern part of the city. It appears to Klin the northwest road is a service road and leads to the mines, they do not appear to be far maybe 30 minutes away. The northeastern road continues along the side of the mountain a bit higher. It looks less traveled but disappears around a bend before you can see where it leads. 

While Klin is out on the roof the rest of you exit the building and prepare to head over toward the stone mason's building.

Please pause for one moment

And we are back!

As you leave the Blacksmith's shop and start heading toward the Stone Mason's home you realize that Klin is not with you. 

@Pardot  A few seconds later you hear more scuttering and noise along the roof of the building you just exited. It comes from the West end of the building you all are on the east side.

"Wait! Where is Klin?" Triäsa says as she looks towards the building and the rooftop. "We were supposed to stay together!" she says, sounding a little but upset.  Although perhaps also there is a hint of nervousness, as she thinks back to wandering into that one building by herself not too long ago. She tries to back away from the building a bit to get a better look, though she also moves to stand close to Ludolf, not seeming to want to move far from him. 

"shh!" Pardot says, trying to quiet the group. "There's that noise again! on the other side of the roof!"

Triäsa looks at Padot, then the others. "Well? What are we waiting for?" She is anxious to investigate but waits for everyone before moving to go around to the other side of the building. 

Daventry does not pause, but does curse quietly to herself.

She snaps her fingers at Ludolf and Triasa once and makes an obvious "Shh" gesture before making her way swiftly and quietly to the other side of the building, in the direction of the sound and where Klin might be. 

Stealth: 14 

Triäsa watches Daventry for just a moment, clearly slightly annoyed at the other woman snapping at her. But she follows, along with the others, trying to remain silent. 

(Stealth: 21)

Carefully,  you make your way around the building keeping your eyes toward the roof. As you circle to the back you hear the sounds of heavy breathing and panting. On the roof you see Klin standing with his hands on his knees and his chained book drawn and hanging at his side. It is covered in a thick, black fluid as are his hands. The back of his head is bleeding. There does not seem to be anyone or anything else around.