Sword Coast Rambling

“Have you noticed a dip in those requesting mining equipment, contracts, etc. out of fear of the Redbrands? If they are indeed pushing the town around would hey not have an incentive to be involved in the mining themselves?”

Serak finds nothing out of the ordinary in the Miners Exchange, just as Halia had promised. He heads out of the store towards Halias home next door. As he leaves, Halia calls out.

"Do what you must Serak. But I am sure that Sildar, will frown upon breaking and entering without justifiable cause. Add that to your shady past. I'm sure criminal charges will follow regardless of your relationship with him. And for what? For nothing. If I am who you think, would I be one to leave incriminating evidence around my home... the first place an investigator would look? Come on. You really must try harder"

Halia smiles again and closes her ledger. She walks across the floor, heavy boots pound against the wooden floorboards. "If we must do this then let us get it over with quickly. You may accompany me if you wish Sir Beetle, but I will be making a visit to the townmasters office if Serak continues with this campaign against my character. And lets be honest, without any evidence, there is only one winner here."

As she passes Zyltris she responds to his question, "I am sorry Mr Holimion, I am a little distracted with your friends antics. Phandalin is a mining community at its heart. Generations upon generations have mined here, and equipment always fails. There is no real dip, as you say, in the mining activity of the town. You're forgetting as well, mining is hard work. Why dig yourself when you can steal the profits?"

Serak: Motioning for Halia to lead the way to her home, as she turns Serak attempts to snatch the ledger from her hands.

Sleight of Hand: 18

Flipping through the pages as he walks with the others, he searches the ledger for any clues. Looking specifically for anything claimed under Gundren Rockseeker or his brothers.

Investigation: 13 

"If you think I am leading you into my home you are gravely mistaken. If you insist I will meet you there with the relevant authorities."

Halia turns and begins to head off back into town towards the Townmasters hall. 

Flicking through the ledger, Serak searches for mentions of the Rockseeker Brothers. 

Lenar Kadmos - 190, 781, SW Phand. - 6 Months - 100GP
Gardain Loderr - 190, 765 -  Sword Mountains, E Phandalin - 18 Months - 75GP
Adran Meliamne - 190, 750, Sword Mountains, E Phand. - 2 Months - 25CP - Ext. 6 Months - 85GP
Fonkin Miggledy - 190 752, W Phand - 12 Months - 50 GP
Sam Nimblefingers - 190 665, N Phandalin - 10 Months - 90GP
--

The list continues on and on. The names of prospectors scrawled into the ledger in an organised fashion. Occasionally a correction scrawled into the margins. A few pages later, Serak stumbles across a familiar name.

Paelias Raethran - 190 165 - SE. Phandalin - 12 Weeks - 70GP Ext. 5 Months - 100GP
Gundren Rockseeker - Location Undisc. - E. Phand - Life Lease - 1000GP
Nundro Rockseeker - As above - 1000GP
Tharden Rockseeker - As Above - 1000GP
Orryn Rofferton - 190 765, W. Phandalin - 6 Months - 80GP

Serak: Stroking his goatee as he studies the ledger, Serak stops at the Rockseeker's claims. Whistling loudly, he says excitedly, "Old Gundren was holding out on us! Three separate claims for 1000gp each! I'm asking for a raise when we find his hairy dwarven arse!"

Quickly becoming serious once again, he says, "Location undisclosed... So what exactly are these documents you wanted from the Redbrands?"

"As for any breaking and entering charge... You're just a simple merchant, right? Well I'm a simple civic minded citizen new at my job as investigator of criminals. The Townmaster was far too busy to explain to me the full extent of my authority. Won't happen again, I assure you... after we have a look inside your home. If you have nothing to hide, open the door or I'll do it myself while you run off to rat me out to my boss."

"Again Mr Serak, I appear to be repeating myself. Though I am not sure whether the Redbrands are responsible, miners have reported bandits robbing them of their prospecting documentation and mining rights in the area. Now, sadly if somebody has a claim they must back it up with the relevant paperwork so naturally, as the head of the mining exchange I need to know who has control of what claim. On top of this any documentation that you find in the Redbrand hideout, could help me in stopping them from prospecting in the town once the group is disbanded. It's a small part to play but of course I would share the information with my fellow traders. I can't stress enough how important these documents would be to me in ridding the town of Redbrands forever. Now, am I going to see the townmaster.... or has the prospect of a pay day calmed you down some?"

[OOC: Okay, I can't tell if this is really good story telling and you're really convincing, or if you're subtly trying to tell me I'm wasting my time with this broad. If I find nothing in her house I'll drop it for now. I was about to quit then you baited me with the Shadow Thieves thing. lol ]

Brots, unable to keep all the information inside attempts to hide his embarrassment. "Listen, I haven't had a lot of friends, and whatever you guys plan on doing, I'll back you up until my soul leaves my body. Now Halia said something about a Redbrand hideout. Based on what I've seen so far, this hideout will not be easy to infiltrate. So whatever we do there, we need to do it quickly and quietly."

OOC: Of course I am saying nothing. All the choices are up to you guys, I'm just narrating at this point! lol

Edit: Of course, whichever your chosen actions, you'll have to deal with the results

Serak: Hellbent and oathbound to discover the source responsible for revealing his allegiance to the Shadow Thieves, Serak approaches the door to Halia's home. He turns to the group and says, "If any of you are uncomfortable with my chosen course of action, I sincerely apologize. There is no reason you need be present for what I am about to do. Miss Halia The All Knowing here could use an escort to the Townmaster if there are any that wish to not involve themselves with..."

Waiting a moment, Serak attempts to pick the lock on Halia's door if he doesn't see an easier means of entry. Lacking his tools due to an unfortunate green slime incident, he makes due with what is at hand.

Pick Lock(Disadvantage): 12

True to her word, Halia heads in the direction of the Townmasters hall to seek out an authoritative figure to stop this senseless attack on her character.

Meanwhile Serak fails to pick the lock to Halias front door.

In a few moments Halia will return, Seraks remaining options for gaining entry are limited.

[OOC: Am I allowed to try again? Not sure how multiple attempts work or how long it takes to pick a lock. If Serak estimates he has time to try again, he will. Otherwise he'll ask if Zyltris is willing to kick the door in.

Pick Lock(Disadvantage): 7

OOC: I'll give you a couple of attempts. But bear in mind that Halia could return at any moment, so I won't give you a precise number. 

1

Serak: Looking expectantly at anyone that was actually willing to stay around for his semi-criminal quasi-unethical search of Halia's home, he asks, "Perhaps I'm just paranoid my friends, but I must know what this woman is hiding. Then, by the Gods, no matter the outcome... I think I'm going to ask her to marry me. Now can anyone help me kick down this enchantresses door so I can rifle through her knickers, please?"

While he awaits a reply, the sometimes-rogue makes another attempt on the lock.

Pick Lock(Disadvantage): 10

3

As Serak, struggles to break the lock to Halias home, the path from the Townmasters Hall remains quiet

Serak: Deciding he simply lacks the tools necessary to get the job done, Serak chastises himself by saying, "Next time, pick the mysteriously beautiful vixen's pocket for the key, you fool."

Resigning himself to eventually being discovered and already planning an explanation, he attempts to kick in the door himself.

Strength: 5

[OOC: Sweet Gods have mercy, he's just broken his foot on the door. lol I'm sure this chick is directly involved. No evidence here probably anyway. She is not that stupid. Serak gives up and waits for the authorities, ashamed of himself.]

A minute or so later Halia returns to the Miners Exchange with Harbin Wester and Sildar in tow. She has a smug look on her face, delighted with herself at the turn of events. 

"There they are Sirs as promised! Arrest them for this nonsense!" She demands, pointing directly at Serak. "And look at the state of my door! Although by the look of it the door has come out of this better than the fool trying to force it open."

Harbin stands around looking disinterested. Sildar however steps forward, calloused hands attached to his pointed hips, a disappointed look on his face. "Well my friends, Lady Halia here tells me you are causing a disturbance. If what she says is true then I'm sorry to say that as representative of the Lords Alliance, I will have to enforce the law, regardless of our affiliation. So tell me friends, what has been going on here? Serak, your name has been mentioned the most. Perhaps you would like to start?"

Serak:  Nursing his injured foot, Serak scowls at Halia before beginning his defense, "Sir, you know I have the deepest respect for you and the order you uphold. It is not I, but she that should be arrested at once! She solicited our fine band of law abiding citizens to "remove" the leader of The Redbrands and steal their property, in exchange for information concerning The Redbrands. She implied murder was the prefered method. She is guilty of conspiracy to commit theft, murder and of obstructing an investigation and withholding evidence, or aren't there laws against that sort of thing out here in the sticks? I demand she be held for trial while evidence is obtained, starting with a search of her home."

OCC:  Damn you guys have been active today.  Wife fractured her foot, so I have been watching the little kobold all day, will probably make me a little slow tomorrow.

Syna looks at the officials, "Gentlemen, perhaps the street is not the best place for such discussions.  Tempers have run warm, and unraveling this knot might be best done over a calming cup of tea.  Know, that all have secrets, and the Lady is too well informed of things that she should not to be as honest as she seems.  Honest, I say," he looks at the lady with a wry smile, "but not necessarily nefarious. "