Warrior comes crashing down upon the padlock and chain. Undoubtedly, Arutha, something is amiss. Egrant was expecting you. He was in on the plan, draw out the Cloak cultists. Did something happen to the shopkeep while you and the cargo escort were attacked. The cultist confirmed that back under the point of your blade. Why Egrant? Why preoccupy you only to…

The front door swings open. A bar of light cuts through the darkness. The scent of death blows outside, and along with that pungent odor, your other senses perk. Four feet from the entrance, in the light of the afternoon sun, you see thick webbing anchored floor to ceiling.

Cath feels the nudge of the rod again.   He stops in the middle of the cemetery hall and concentrates on the rod. 

1

An odd and curious thing happens as you attempt to attune with this law enforcement magic item.

In this moment, this frustrating moment, the rod suddenly accepts your request, for as all law-abiding citizens know no one is above the law, and therefore no one is above the use of this unique magic item.

OOC You are now attuned with the rod of many detections.

The rod blasts your mind with a series of instructions. The experience is not overwhelming. The information comes fast, though. 

Make a Perception check followed by an Investigation check to select the sequence and activate the divination you seek. 

OOC Well done. You could have also said I fail the roll, and that would have granted you attunement. I like to play with the rules of the game every now and then. Change it up. Flip it on its head. Introduce the unexpected.

Cath is awarded 100 XP for the use of this magic item.

Arutha looks at the webbing and then takes in the scent of death. He glances at his companion. "I fear there is something evil afoot. He looks carefully through the door to try and determine if this is some sort of illusion, thinking that it was unlikely that something of the nature of his initial observation could be true in the city. (perception: 15 )

Your eyes are not fooled, Arutha. What you see is the webbing made by a giant arachnid. Maybe several.

Knowing his injuries would prevent him from another chancy battle Arutha closed the door. "There is what appears to be a spiders nest inside. We will need to deal with this but first it may be wise to return this shipment back to the brothers and let them know what transpired. What say you my big friend?" Arutha says to Skorbor.

"Agreed," he says, though he dare not speculate how and who would or could smuggle such a creature into the city without notice.

"These are troubling days, Arutha," the half-orc mutters.

Cath suddenly feels less frustration over the use of the rod.  Things start to make sense and he feels that now understands how the thing works.  Now if he can just manage to make the right settings perhaps he can find the child.  He recalls what Zavakk did before handing the rod to him. He pressed only the emerald and sapphire. The pattern is Rotate-Press. 1-2-2-1-1-1-2. When he is finished, the diamond gem is facing the ground. 

Perception 10

Investigation 20

As before Cath, the device obeys. This time, it obeys you. It seeks the need for justice, law and order.

Traever's dark elf face appears in the dazzling light the rod casts upon the ground. And while this sequence is familiar to you, the rod tugs at you, as if to say, I found him.

The rod jerks in your hand. It pulls back toward his footprints, like that of a hound that points its nose when it has traced the scent to its source. Traever is close by. Through the door to the left of the stairwell, in the direction the statue of Myrkul swings his scythe.

Arutha turns the wagon around and behind the drive back to the ship, his eyes constantly looking for danger and also a city guard. He figured they should know about the spiders.

Cath grins when he feels the rod tug at him and guide him to the correct door.  Now the magics are on his side.  He tucks the rod into his pack and hefts his great axe.

"I be comin boy." he says.

Before him stands a locked door.  He stares at it for a moment as he decides what to do.  He has no key and knows no way to open it... properly. 

"Dumathoin watch over me, ever be I a fool.'

With that said he lifts the axe high and bashes the door.

Attack: 8 Damage: 9

There is no doubt in your strike, Cath. The door groans as it buckles under the might of your hefty swing, and with that one aim, breaks under the axe's blade. One more should split the door right through the middle.

Within a block, Arutha, you spot two Fist soldiers patrolling the area.

Cath grunts with satisfaction at the damage done to the door.  He then swings again at the door.

Attack: 24 Damage: 13

Flagging down the guards Arutha speaks to them. "We were attacked a short time ago by a group of thugs while carrying this shipment to the shop of Egrant. They did not pose too much of a challenge but when we arrived we found the shop has been infested by large arachnids. It may be wise to block it off to prevent any innocents from entering and being harmed. We will return later to clear them out and discover what happened to Egrant but I would hate to have anyone hurt until then."

"Good citizen," the smaller of the Flaming Fist soldiers says in greeting.

The dire news settles all too quickly between his eyes. Your report, Arutha, is both alarming and disconcerting. "I know Egrant," the soldier says. "He sold me a pair of under-armor  leggings two days back."

The other Fist soldier is already on the move. He's ten paces toward Egrant's shop.

"You say you are in need of healing?" The Fist introduces himself as Ratheron (WRAITH-or-in). From a belt pouch pocket he lifts a wool-wrapped vial. He hands it to you. "Drink, good citizen."

If you accept, please roll 2d4+2 healing points.

Norvalor turns to look to see what the boy is seeing 

Perception :10

You see the bones of elves, Norvalor. Many, many elves.

9 Healing

After they leave Arutha continues to drive towards the ship. If he is able to reach there he will tell the bothers what transpired and how he is planning on heading back to the shop to investigate.