As they start walking, Malachi leads the group around the back of the warehouse first, where he quickly spots a window on the second floor. The sun, currently beginning its descent to the west, creates a harsh glare off the surface of the glass.
Vilus looks around to make sure there is no attention on them, and then stands atop a small stack of crates and uses his height added onto that to get a better angle at viewing the window. Inside, he can see the ceiling and the top few feet of the wall, where he can make out the top of a set of shelves stuffed with various papers and scrolls. It certainly looks like that is Andra's office.
The sound of idle conversation approaches as a few workers, out of sight for the moment, near a corner. "You think he's sick?"
"Maybe. Jairm said boss is taking a personal day. Looked fine when he was in the office this morning though. I reckon it's got to do with those rumours of strangers in town."
"Oh, come off it. You're buying into that rubbish? Let me guess, you heard that from Helet, or someone who heard it from her at least"
"No! not necessarily... But it's not about whether I believe. It's about if Andra believes-"
Vilus hops down off the crates just before the workers round the corner.
As Vilus is standing on the crate, Joren stands watch with his echo. Out of his element but ready to do anything asked of him.
He whispers to the group: "Remember... if there, ah, is somewhere we need to, go, I can get there by echo swapping. Even somewhere up to sixty feet upward, then dropping a rope... or through a window without breaking it if needed. And back."
(He looks a little absurdly proud of himself for his usage of western verb tenses).
Ashley's point reminds him: "Yes, any yellow on the medallion yet Samir?" Joren sounds almost hopeful, eager to hit something with his greatsword.
As Vilus jumps down from the crate he whips out his crowbar and prys open the top of the nearest wooden box. He beckons for one of the others to join him before the folk round the corner, he then begins counting on his fingers and muttering something about quality assurance, peering into the box and nodding periodically.
(Preliminary deception 6, if he receives help 17.)
Seeing what looks like some kind of inspection going on, the workers avert their eyes and their path from the scene and lower the volume of their conversation, suddenly switching the topic while at it. Life is always easier when inspectors don't take notice of you. Soon enough, they are past the next corner and disappearing from earshot.
Samir takes an opportunity to look at the medallion, and finds once again no change in colour.
Marion watches the others go around the corner and then turns to the group saying, "I think we should see what's in there. Whether Andra is in or not."
Vilus interlaces his fingers and lowers his arms down to provide a step, "don't be afraid to stand on me shoulders, I can manage... Also someone should distract the admin still up there, any volunteers?"
Malachi glances up at the window “If we can find a way through the window, we can avoid the admin up front. At least for now”he glances at the others as Vilus prepares his hands for a step for Ashley or one of the others “be careful, if this doesn't work perhaps Joren can use his echo trick he mentioned.”
Ashley gets her first peek into the room and sees no signs of movement. She holds her hands up to block the glare and get a better look. In front of her, she sees a fairly simple desk facing a door and a shelf on the wall opposite the window. Based on the distance and direction, that door is probably the one leading to the top of the stairs they had seen from the entrance.
The window itself is a single pane set into a simple metal frame. Just the friction of her fingers on the glass give her decent purchase, and she can make it wiggle up and down a little bit, but she can see that it is locked in place by a basic latch sitting just on the inside of the window, out of reach.
Ashley looks back down to her friends, "There is no one in the office, going to try and see if I can open the window. Unfortunately, it is locked." Getting it to wiggle up a smidge, Ashley casts mage hand and has the spectral hand slip through the gap and unlock the latch from the other side.
(Let me know if this doesn't work)
Once she has the window open, she'll crawl inside and drops her rope, "Mal? Samir? Did either of you want to join me for a quick look? I'd invite you all, but we best keep a look out as well."
The latch clicks and the window slides open stiffly in its frame, clearly not used to being opened. Ashley grunts a bit and manages to slide it the rest of the way open, but not without it producing an unfortunate squeal and thump. Ashley freezes for a moment and listens for any movement downstairs... But there is no response.
Not wanting to waste any more time out in the open, Ashley drops down into the room and lowers her rope down to those outside.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Malachi needs no additional encouragement from Ashley. He gives a grin to Vilus "Be back in a flash"and grabs the rope as soon as it is lowered, clambering up. He lowers himself into the room with her and immediately moves to the desk, looking for any traps or interesting papers.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Samir does his best to follow Malachi up the rope and into the room, although certainly not with the same sort of grace. Once inside (if he makes it), he begins carefully moving to the shelf to inspect its contents.
Malachi makes his way deftly up into the office and begins rifling through the papers on the desk. He finds various forms and ledgers bearing various signatures, and a couple of correspondence letters from Talmouth, though they all date back to before Tensmith went into lockdown. He looks next at the drawers and doesn't see any obvious traps. Opening them one by one, he is disappointed to find very mundane looking paperwork and supplies. The final drawer, however, appears to be locked. There is a small keyhole in the front just above the handle.
Samir tries clambouring up behind Malachi, but struggles a bit. Thankfully, with some help from Joren, he manages to get up to the windowsill and pull himself over. He tumbles unceremoniously into the room, dusts himself off, and walks over to the bookshelf. Upon it, he sees a collection of books, ledgers, and scrolls in a state of disorganization. In fact, the whole room seems disorganized. Not like it had been ransacked, but instead giving the impression that Andra simply isn't a very organized person. It certainly feeds into Lanya's image of him as being incompetent and sloppy at his job. Also based on the mess, it seems unlikely that he has anyone come into the room to tidy up after him.
Most of what he finds on the shelf seems innocuous, but on a hunch Samir checks the medallion. Sure enough, there is just the faintest glow of yellow. He holds it up and runs it along the shelf. There are four places in particular that seem to cause the glow to flare up. In each spot is a book, and Samir notices that based on the relative lack of dust, each of these books have been disturbed recently (However Samir chooses to proceed with this knowledge, his nat 20 investigation will continue to apply.)
Meanwhile outside, all is quiet for now. Joren, Vilus, and Marion don't see any concerning movement. That is until a flutter catches Joren's eye. He turns to look, but it is just a single butterfly, flapping lazily along on the wind. It lands on one of Vilus's fingers and sits there calmly, wings together.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As the two boys immediately start investigating the office, Ashley leans out the window and looks around to make sure they are still alone. "Looks like the coast is still clear, why don't you all come join us? I'd hate for you to get questioned out there, especially since some are on the lookout for strangers."
After she says her peace, she decides to check under the rug, and then heads over to the last piece of furniture in the room to do her own investigating.
Jorenhelps the others (Marion?) up the rope as needed.
Then he sends his echo through the window, swaps with it, and then brings his echo up as well, pulling up the rope.
He leaves the Investigation to the others, instead continuing to keep watch, trying to be out of view to one side of the window or the other, looking out.
As they start walking, Malachi leads the group around the back of the warehouse first, where he quickly spots a window on the second floor. The sun, currently beginning its descent to the west, creates a harsh glare off the surface of the glass.
Vilus looks around to make sure there is no attention on them, and then stands atop a small stack of crates and uses his height added onto that to get a better angle at viewing the window. Inside, he can see the ceiling and the top few feet of the wall, where he can make out the top of a set of shelves stuffed with various papers and scrolls. It certainly looks like that is Andra's office.
The sound of idle conversation approaches as a few workers, out of sight for the moment, near a corner. "You think he's sick?"
"Maybe. Jairm said boss is taking a personal day. Looked fine when he was in the office this morning though. I reckon it's got to do with those rumours of strangers in town."
"Oh, come off it. You're buying into that rubbish? Let me guess, you heard that from Helet, or someone who heard it from her at least"
"No! not necessarily... But it's not about whether I believe. It's about if Andra believes-"
Vilus hops down off the crates just before the workers round the corner.
As Vilus is standing on the crate, Joren stands watch with his echo. Out of his element but ready to do anything asked of him.
He whispers to the group: "Remember... if there, ah, is somewhere we need to, go, I can get there by echo swapping. Even somewhere up to sixty feet upward, then dropping a rope... or through a window without breaking it if needed. And back."
(He looks a little absurdly proud of himself for his usage of western verb tenses).
Ashley's point reminds him: "Yes, any yellow on the medallion yet Samir?" Joren sounds almost hopeful, eager to hit something with his greatsword.
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
As Vilus jumps down from the crate he whips out his crowbar and prys open the top of the nearest wooden box. He beckons for one of the others to join him before the folk round the corner, he then begins counting on his fingers and muttering something about quality assurance, peering into the box and nodding periodically.
(Preliminary deception 6, if he receives help 17.)
Joren helps by hanging his head like the hapless dope who screwed up and ruined Vilus' day as an inspector.
His echo alongside as an equally dopey twin.
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
Seeing what looks like some kind of inspection going on, the workers avert their eyes and their path from the scene and lower the volume of their conversation, suddenly switching the topic while at it. Life is always easier when inspectors don't take notice of you. Soon enough, they are past the next corner and disappearing from earshot.
Samir takes an opportunity to look at the medallion, and finds once again no change in colour.
Marion watches the others go around the corner and then turns to the group saying, "I think we should see what's in there. Whether Andra is in or not."
"Yes, let's get going now before another group comes around the corner. Anyone want to boost me up?"
Vilus interlaces his fingers and lowers his arms down to provide a step, "don't be afraid to stand on me shoulders, I can manage... Also someone should distract the admin still up there, any volunteers?"
Malachi glances up at the window “If we can find a way through the window, we can avoid the admin up front. At least for now” he glances at the others as Vilus prepares his hands for a step for Ashley or one of the others “be careful, if this doesn't work perhaps Joren can use his echo trick he mentioned.”
Samir, somewhat nervously unsure of how to help, sets himself to keeping watch on the area around them.
Ashley steps into Vilus's bridged hands and onto his shoulder. Nearing the window, she slowly peaks inside to see if anyone is actually in the office.
If there is no one in there, she will attempt to open the window.
Ashley gets her first peek into the room and sees no signs of movement. She holds her hands up to block the glare and get a better look. In front of her, she sees a fairly simple desk facing a door and a shelf on the wall opposite the window. Based on the distance and direction, that door is probably the one leading to the top of the stairs they had seen from the entrance.
The window itself is a single pane set into a simple metal frame. Just the friction of her fingers on the glass give her decent purchase, and she can make it wiggle up and down a little bit, but she can see that it is locked in place by a basic latch sitting just on the inside of the window, out of reach.
Ashley looks back down to her friends, "There is no one in the office, going to try and see if I can open the window. Unfortunately, it is locked." Getting it to wiggle up a smidge, Ashley casts mage hand and has the spectral hand slip through the gap and unlock the latch from the other side.
(Let me know if this doesn't work)
Once she has the window open, she'll crawl inside and drops her rope, "Mal? Samir? Did either of you want to join me for a quick look? I'd invite you all, but we best keep a look out as well."
Vilus hoists Ashley a little further if needed, making getting through the window easier.
The latch clicks and the window slides open stiffly in its frame, clearly not used to being opened. Ashley grunts a bit and manages to slide it the rest of the way open, but not without it producing an unfortunate squeal and thump. Ashley freezes for a moment and listens for any movement downstairs... But there is no response.
Not wanting to waste any more time out in the open, Ashley drops down into the room and lowers her rope down to those outside.
Malachi needs no additional encouragement from Ashley. He gives a grin to Vilus "Be back in a flash" and grabs the rope as soon as it is lowered, clambering up. He lowers himself into the room with her and immediately moves to the desk, looking for any traps or interesting papers.
acrobatics: 18.
perception: 16.
.
Samir does his best to follow Malachi up the rope and into the room, although certainly not with the same sort of grace. Once inside (if he makes it), he begins carefully moving to the shelf to inspect its contents.
9 Athletics
7 Investigation
If possible, and he sees one of his companions, such as Samir, struggling on the rope, Joren tries to give them a boost to help them.
Otherwise remaining on guard at the bottom with his echo, looking bored but keeping close watch.
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
(Map is posted over on the discord)
Malachi makes his way deftly up into the office and begins rifling through the papers on the desk. He finds various forms and ledgers bearing various signatures, and a couple of correspondence letters from Talmouth, though they all date back to before Tensmith went into lockdown. He looks next at the drawers and doesn't see any obvious traps. Opening them one by one, he is disappointed to find very mundane looking paperwork and supplies. The final drawer, however, appears to be locked. There is a small keyhole in the front just above the handle.
Samir tries clambouring up behind Malachi, but struggles a bit. Thankfully, with some help from Joren, he manages to get up to the windowsill and pull himself over. He tumbles unceremoniously into the room, dusts himself off, and walks over to the bookshelf. Upon it, he sees a collection of books, ledgers, and scrolls in a state of disorganization. In fact, the whole room seems disorganized. Not like it had been ransacked, but instead giving the impression that Andra simply isn't a very organized person. It certainly feeds into Lanya's image of him as being incompetent and sloppy at his job. Also based on the mess, it seems unlikely that he has anyone come into the room to tidy up after him.
Most of what he finds on the shelf seems innocuous, but on a hunch Samir checks the medallion. Sure enough, there is just the faintest glow of yellow. He holds it up and runs it along the shelf. There are four places in particular that seem to cause the glow to flare up. In each spot is a book, and Samir notices that based on the relative lack of dust, each of these books have been disturbed recently (However Samir chooses to proceed with this knowledge, his nat 20 investigation will continue to apply.)
Meanwhile outside, all is quiet for now. Joren, Vilus, and Marion don't see any concerning movement. That is until a flutter catches Joren's eye. He turns to look, but it is just a single butterfly, flapping lazily along on the wind. It lands on one of Vilus's fingers and sits there calmly, wings together.
As the two boys immediately start investigating the office, Ashley leans out the window and looks around to make sure they are still alone. "Looks like the coast is still clear, why don't you all come join us? I'd hate for you to get questioned out there, especially since some are on the lookout for strangers."
After she says her peace, she decides to check under the rug, and then heads over to the last piece of furniture in the room to do her own investigating.
Investigation 9
Joren helps the others (Marion?) up the rope as needed.
Then he sends his echo through the window, swaps with it, and then brings his echo up as well, pulling up the rope.
He leaves the Investigation to the others, instead continuing to keep watch, trying to be out of view to one side of the window or the other, looking out.
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven