Vilus doesn't let the energy dissipate, instead he leans closer, "no no, see.. I know guys like you, it ain't something for nothing, ever. This reward eh? Who put up the money? Hardrock and Berg ain't got enough funds to be throwing around at just any story that comes out of the likes of you. No... There's someone else. Isn't there?"
Ashley looks at the dwarf, raises her eyebrow and calmly adds, "A reward you say? Let us know what my orc friend is asking and we'll let you go. He isn't the only one of us that is magical."
Joren and his echo both do their best to continue to look bored and disinterested.
Keeping the streets spy-free. Being the same pretext these probable Razmus plants, such as probably Andra, are using to keep the mines closed...
While his friends are asking questions, Joren tries to eye the main office in case anyone is watching from there but has trouble dividing his attention.
He muses: "Not collecting the reward up front, then. Reporting back to be receiving the reward? Interesting, would be, seeing who you are reporting to."
"It is Hardrock, aye." The dwarf says, panicked. "He's offering 1 gold piece for a solid tip, but 100 pieces for whoever provides the lead that allows the city open back up again."
Lanya speaks up. "I hadn't heard of this reward. But one gold piece? That's not enough even for a meal. Especially split three ways"
The pale tattooed man responds with a derisive snort. "Well it buys a lot more than no gold pieces. We can hardly afford to be choosy in this economy."
Malachi and Vilus
Both of you do get the distinct impression that had the marshal not been with you, they probably would have also tried to lighten your purses before turning in their tips.
The ball of swirling eldritch energy swells in Vilus' hand reaching critical mass before simply dissipating, he stands to one side making sure all of his items are still on his person, before saying "alright, well you've not just wasted your own time you've wasted ours, now bugger off and stop harassing folk. Maybe your town will be open sooner that you expect." His tone still aggressive, without any patience whatsoever.
With that, the trio turn to scamper past Vilus, the half-orc nearly tripping over the dwarf on his way by. The workers over in the other direction seem to take note of the commotion, but return to their labour quickly.
"Offering a reward like that is foolish and reckless," Miter mumbles.
"I couldn't agree more," Lanya says. "If this continues, a full blown 'witch-hunt' will take over the city. Let us make haste." She turns and resumes her path toward the main office
"Sounding like we need to talk with this Hardock too if we are able. After Andra, that is."
Joren is beginning to become frustrated at the plethora of problems that can't be addressed directly with an echo and a greatsword.
He keeps his echo summoned and, when the time comes, sends it in with the others into Andra's room in the main office, while he himself stands outside the room, keeping watch if that seems viable. Continuing to attempt to look bored and disinterested even though he is on edge.
Malachi watches the three men turn and run away from the group and listens to Miter and the Marshal “It is reckless, as far as whether or not it is foolish, I guess it depends on where Hardrock stands. This town is a tinderbox, ready to go up in flames at the smallest spark. Will Hardrock benefit from a fire, will the cultists?” He glances over at Samir “I hope the medallion proves of some use, right now we don’t know who to trust.”
He follows the Marshal and the others to meet Andra, most interested in what they will find with the man.
Vilus checks around for any onlookers and joins the group once more before he sheds his half orc disguise, "the cultists definitely benefit, if all hell breaks loose and the tinderbox is ignited then scrutiny gives way to paranoia and everyone becomes either secretive or rebellious, That will cover any moves by the cultists, and divides any non cultists along the way." He says in answer to Malachi's query, "this shit stinks of the type of manipulation my lot employ and I hate it..."
As the group round on the door to Andras office Vilus will give it a knock if no one else gets there first.
Ashley follows along with the rest of the group, wondering who these people Andra and Hardrock are. She isn't expecting much, she just hopes they get some useful information out of them. And she hopes that Lanya continues to be on their side, because if they lose her, they will be in trouble on getting to the bottom of whatever is going on.
Into the main office they go. The entrance is just a small door in the front of another large warehouse building, and it appears the office space is up on the second floor. Inside the door they see a hall to the left leading into the storage space of the warehouse, and to their right is a small alcove with a desk covered in paperwork and logs. Directly in front of the group is a narrow staircase leading up to the second floor.
A cough from behind the desk draws attention to a dusty halfling pouring himself some water from a large pitcher. "Can I help you?" He grumbles.
Lanya steps forward, taking the lead this time. "We are here to see Andra."Her tone is authoratative, and gives little room for argument, but the halfling tries it anyway. Craning his neck to make eye contact with the marshal, he looks up and says, "Well you'd either need an appointment or a warrant, and he's not in, so I know you don't have an appointment..." he shrugs in faux apology, but does not seem to have any actual remorse.
Miter starts growls in frustration and starts to muscle his way up through the group to stand beside Lanya, but she holds up her hand to stop him. "He's right." She thinks for a minute before thumping the desk with her fist. "Damn. Okay, come over here a second." She ushers the adventurers outside the door and looks around to make sure no one is listening.
"If he's not in his office right now, it could mean nothing, or it could mean that he is guilty and has been made aware that I am moving against him. It's pretty known around town that he and I don't get along, and I've been trying to expose him for a while, albeit for reasons of incompetence rather than evil. If that's the case, we need to find him soon before this becomes difficult. That being said, there is still a process to these things, and I won't break my own laws. So, I'll head back to my own office and start drawing up the paperwork for a warrant, because I think we may find answers in his office one way or another. But someone should keep an eye out here, and someone should go stake out his residence. I suggest Miter goes to his house because he knows the way and won't draw attention. You can be discrete, right Miter?"
Miter shrugs.
"The rest of you could wait here for my return with the warrant, perhaps comb through the area in case he is simply on a walk-about. What do you think?"
Vilus nods, "if we split up we can cover all bases at once; here, the house, and someone to make sure you aren't jumped on your way to organise a warrant.. seeing as though you want to stay within the bounds of the law" he adds that last part with a hint of annoyance in his voice, albeit from a place of respect in Lanya's dedications.
As he looks around the group for answers he adds "I'm fine with any of the jobs if I'm honest, I may not be sneaky but I can can normally lie or intimidate my way out of most situations"
Malachi frowns as he considers the options “I do not like the idea of splitting up, especially in an unknown city where we do not know where our enemies lie. We can stay together and keep an eye out here, maybe search around the neighborhood. I trust the Marshal can make her way back to the office without our escort.” He shoots a pointed look toward Vilus.
Vilus:
Vilus hears Malachiis voice enter his mind. “We have a better chance operating outside the bounds of the law here without the Marshal or her deputy.”
Ashley listens to the options and adds, "I agree that the marshall shall be fine getting her affairs in order to get a warrant to search Andra's office. Miter, would you want someone to go with you? One or two of us could if you want, otherwise we can stay here and see what is going on around this area, maybe pick up some possible yellow leads if we can find some?"
Joren is a fish out of water amidst the bureaucracy of Tensmith. All these rules and regulations - are they ever really helping anyone but the villains?
He decides that he will just follow whatever the others in the group suggest, and in the meantime work on speaking a bit more like the others since it has begun to dawn on him now that he has been around more people here in Cambria, that no one conjugates verbs as he does.
"I can be goi- ah, I can... go wherever you are sug- wherever you... you suggest. Just letting - GAH! Paska! - just let me know!"
Miter nods and says "I'll be fine on my own. Better for me not to travel in a group." With that, each of of them turn and begin heading off in separate directions, leaving the adventurers to themselves in front of the warehouse.
Good point, if we need either of them I can pull of a convincing disguise. Marion will not like this though.
With Lanya and Miter heading off, Vilus rounds on the group, keeping his voice low and conspiratorial, "so what's the plan? What leads should we follow first?"
Silent for much of the time, Samir finally speaks up as Volusia asks about a plan. His thoughts, it seem, have been elsewhere, as his words indicate.
"Those... mining rigs. The ones that aid in the use of explosives. Their utility in mining is obvious to see, but a thought occurred to me. Should these cultists have access to a moderate number of those machines and their ordinance, there is a very real likelihood that they could inflict massive amounts of damage on any town or barrier in their way. Do you think they could be trying to gather such materials?"
Ashley looks surprised at Samir while he brings up a subject that no one else had been thinking about - at least she was pretty certain. "I well, maybe? I don't know. I was thinking maybe to start to walk around the area? Like the marshall said he might be on a walk-a-bout? And while we're out, check the medallion from time to time to see what the area is like?"
“A walk might do us good”Malachi nods to Ashley “We can check out the rest of the warehouse, and if we can find a window or another entrance to Andra’s office, all the better. I would like a look around there before he returns.”
He looks over at Samir “That is a good thought, those explosive rigs can cause trouble in the wrong hands. We have already heard they are storing explosives in the side tunnel where we arrived, could it be to supply the cultists?”
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Vilus doesn't let the energy dissipate, instead he leans closer, "no no, see.. I know guys like you, it ain't something for nothing, ever. This reward eh? Who put up the money? Hardrock and Berg ain't got enough funds to be throwing around at just any story that comes out of the likes of you. No... There's someone else. Isn't there?"
Ashley looks at the dwarf, raises her eyebrow and calmly adds, "A reward you say? Let us know what my orc friend is asking and we'll let you go. He isn't the only one of us that is magical."
Joren and his echo both do their best to continue to look bored and disinterested.
Keeping the streets spy-free. Being the same pretext these probable Razmus plants, such as probably Andra, are using to keep the mines closed...
While his friends are asking questions, Joren tries to eye the main office in case anyone is watching from there but has trouble dividing his attention.
Perception: 9
He muses: "Not collecting the reward up front, then. Reporting back to be receiving the reward? Interesting, would be, seeing who you are reporting to."
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
"It is Hardrock, aye." The dwarf says, panicked. "He's offering 1 gold piece for a solid tip, but 100 pieces for whoever provides the lead that allows the city open back up again."
Lanya speaks up. "I hadn't heard of this reward. But one gold piece? That's not enough even for a meal. Especially split three ways"
The pale tattooed man responds with a derisive snort. "Well it buys a lot more than no gold pieces. We can hardly afford to be choosy in this economy."
Malachi and Vilus
Both of you do get the distinct impression that had the marshal not been with you, they probably would have also tried to lighten your purses before turning in their tips.
The ball of swirling eldritch energy swells in Vilus' hand reaching critical mass before simply dissipating, he stands to one side making sure all of his items are still on his person, before saying "alright, well you've not just wasted your own time you've wasted ours, now bugger off and stop harassing folk. Maybe your town will be open sooner that you expect." His tone still aggressive, without any patience whatsoever.
With that, the trio turn to scamper past Vilus, the half-orc nearly tripping over the dwarf on his way by. The workers over in the other direction seem to take note of the commotion, but return to their labour quickly.
"Offering a reward like that is foolish and reckless," Miter mumbles.
"I couldn't agree more," Lanya says. "If this continues, a full blown 'witch-hunt' will take over the city. Let us make haste." She turns and resumes her path toward the main office
"Sounding like we need to talk with this Hardock too if we are able. After Andra, that is."
Joren is beginning to become frustrated at the plethora of problems that can't be addressed directly with an echo and a greatsword.
He keeps his echo summoned and, when the time comes, sends it in with the others into Andra's room in the main office, while he himself stands outside the room, keeping watch if that seems viable. Continuing to attempt to look bored and disinterested even though he is on edge.
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
Malachi watches the three men turn and run away from the group and listens to Miter and the Marshal “It is reckless, as far as whether or not it is foolish, I guess it depends on where Hardrock stands. This town is a tinderbox, ready to go up in flames at the smallest spark. Will Hardrock benefit from a fire, will the cultists?” He glances over at Samir “I hope the medallion proves of some use, right now we don’t know who to trust.”
He follows the Marshal and the others to meet Andra, most interested in what they will find with the man.
Vilus checks around for any onlookers and joins the group once more before he sheds his half orc disguise, "the cultists definitely benefit, if all hell breaks loose and the tinderbox is ignited then scrutiny gives way to paranoia and everyone becomes either secretive or rebellious, That will cover any moves by the cultists, and divides any non cultists along the way." He says in answer to Malachi's query, "this shit stinks of the type of manipulation my lot employ and I hate it..."
As the group round on the door to Andras office Vilus will give it a knock if no one else gets there first.
Ashley follows along with the rest of the group, wondering who these people Andra and Hardrock are. She isn't expecting much, she just hopes they get some useful information out of them. And she hopes that Lanya continues to be on their side, because if they lose her, they will be in trouble on getting to the bottom of whatever is going on.
Into the main office they go. The entrance is just a small door in the front of another large warehouse building, and it appears the office space is up on the second floor. Inside the door they see a hall to the left leading into the storage space of the warehouse, and to their right is a small alcove with a desk covered in paperwork and logs. Directly in front of the group is a narrow staircase leading up to the second floor.
A cough from behind the desk draws attention to a dusty halfling pouring himself some water from a large pitcher. "Can I help you?" He grumbles.
Lanya steps forward, taking the lead this time. "We are here to see Andra." Her tone is authoratative, and gives little room for argument, but the halfling tries it anyway. Craning his neck to make eye contact with the marshal, he looks up and says, "Well you'd either need an appointment or a warrant, and he's not in, so I know you don't have an appointment..." he shrugs in faux apology, but does not seem to have any actual remorse.
Miter starts growls in frustration and starts to muscle his way up through the group to stand beside Lanya, but she holds up her hand to stop him. "He's right." She thinks for a minute before thumping the desk with her fist. "Damn. Okay, come over here a second." She ushers the adventurers outside the door and looks around to make sure no one is listening.
"If he's not in his office right now, it could mean nothing, or it could mean that he is guilty and has been made aware that I am moving against him. It's pretty known around town that he and I don't get along, and I've been trying to expose him for a while, albeit for reasons of incompetence rather than evil. If that's the case, we need to find him soon before this becomes difficult. That being said, there is still a process to these things, and I won't break my own laws. So, I'll head back to my own office and start drawing up the paperwork for a warrant, because I think we may find answers in his office one way or another. But someone should keep an eye out here, and someone should go stake out his residence. I suggest Miter goes to his house because he knows the way and won't draw attention. You can be discrete, right Miter?"
Miter shrugs.
"The rest of you could wait here for my return with the warrant, perhaps comb through the area in case he is simply on a walk-about. What do you think?"
Vilus nods, "if we split up we can cover all bases at once; here, the house, and someone to make sure you aren't jumped on your way to organise a warrant.. seeing as though you want to stay within the bounds of the law" he adds that last part with a hint of annoyance in his voice, albeit from a place of respect in Lanya's dedications.
As he looks around the group for answers he adds "I'm fine with any of the jobs if I'm honest, I may not be sneaky but I can can normally lie or intimidate my way out of most situations"
Malachi frowns as he considers the options “I do not like the idea of splitting up, especially in an unknown city where we do not know where our enemies lie. We can stay together and keep an eye out here, maybe search around the neighborhood. I trust the Marshal can make her way back to the office without our escort.” He shoots a pointed look toward Vilus.
Vilus:
Vilus hears Malachiis voice enter his mind. “We have a better chance operating outside the bounds of the law here without the Marshal or her deputy.”
Ashley listens to the options and adds, "I agree that the marshall shall be fine getting her affairs in order to get a warrant to search Andra's office. Miter, would you want someone to go with you? One or two of us could if you want, otherwise we can stay here and see what is going on around this area, maybe pick up some possible yellow leads if we can find some?"
Joren is a fish out of water amidst the bureaucracy of Tensmith. All these rules and regulations - are they ever really helping anyone but the villains?
He decides that he will just follow whatever the others in the group suggest, and in the meantime work on speaking a bit more like the others since it has begun to dawn on him now that he has been around more people here in Cambria, that no one conjugates verbs as he does.
"I can be goi- ah, I can... go wherever you are sug- wherever you... you suggest. Just letting - GAH! Paska! - just let me know!"
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
"Good, then let us delay no longer. Miter?"
Miter nods and says "I'll be fine on my own. Better for me not to travel in a group." With that, each of of them turn and begin heading off in separate directions, leaving the adventurers to themselves in front of the warehouse.
Vilus nods back to Malachi.
Good point, if we need either of them I can pull of a convincing disguise. Marion will not like this though.
With Lanya and Miter heading off, Vilus rounds on the group, keeping his voice low and conspiratorial, "so what's the plan? What leads should we follow first?"
Silent for much of the time, Samir finally speaks up as Volusia asks about a plan. His thoughts, it seem, have been elsewhere, as his words indicate.
"Those... mining rigs. The ones that aid in the use of explosives. Their utility in mining is obvious to see, but a thought occurred to me. Should these cultists have access to a moderate number of those machines and their ordinance, there is a very real likelihood that they could inflict massive amounts of damage on any town or barrier in their way. Do you think they could be trying to gather such materials?"
Ashley looks surprised at Samir while he brings up a subject that no one else had been thinking about - at least she was pretty certain. "I well, maybe? I don't know. I was thinking maybe to start to walk around the area? Like the marshall said he might be on a walk-a-bout? And while we're out, check the medallion from time to time to see what the area is like?"
“A walk might do us good” Malachi nods to Ashley “We can check out the rest of the warehouse, and if we can find a window or another entrance to Andra’s office, all the better. I would like a look around there before he returns.”
He looks over at Samir “That is a good thought, those explosive rigs can cause trouble in the wrong hands. We have already heard they are storing explosives in the side tunnel where we arrived, could it be to supply the cultists?”