Wes and Tanakir stomp out the fire easily, informing the rest of the party of the situation. Wes takes a look through the last room of the floor and finds more clutter; boxes upon boxes of storage. Tanakir studies the strange skull symbol for a moment, but does not recognize it from any of his knowledge.

OOC: Wes and Tanakir's findings kick off a "social encounter" mechanic within the campaign, where character responses can shape the way the story evolves. How does each character respond to what's going on, in either first or third person?

As Tanakir watches Wes put out the burning curtain, and as the smell of smoke and the heat of flames are diminished, he finds his mind wandering.

A man screamed, somewhere. Who he was didn’t matter. All that was important was the crime he committed and the brand in Tanakir’s hand. The glowing metal pressed into the man’s forehead with a sizzle and the stench of burning flesh. “Disobey the law no more, you have been warned.”

Working at the forge had always been relaxing for Tanakir. The feel of hot metal in his hand, the smell of the coals as he let the metal rest, and the color of the metal as he doused it with flames. All these things, routine in an orderly, rehearsed act. It was good to maintain order. Living a good life was all about keeping one’s own flames under control. Letting a raging inferno destroy your livelihood was a sign of recklessness, of a lack of control. Those people always blamed others for their own carelessness. Those people always blamed him.

”But that’s not the point... it was about keeping people safe”

Steadying himself, Tanakir continues past the threshold, feeling his anger started to flare and producing a small ball of fire in his hand.

Do we have a stray Gentlemen? I would like our guests to be untied and debriefed as soon as possible but we can't do that if we still have a piece in play. Ricky relays to the group through her Sender. She gives a bored smile to the captives of a bureaucrat getting near to the end of a shift. A smile known to all that have dealt with Customer Service. 

OOC: Giving a little more time for Wes, Karst, Aradurk, and Zikahl to respond to the situation.

Wes hurries back to Tanakir, seeing the flames in his hands.  “ you need to keep your temper, level headed thinking is what’s going to solve this”. He looks out the window for signs of anything to explain what’s going on.  “What floor haven’t we checked? We can start over agin, top to bottom; floor by floor, what was all that machinery for downstairs, what about those rings and potions and tubs of water...”. Wes trails off on a tangent of thoughts.  Yelling aloud now to the empty room “We’ve found you, come out and you won’t be harmed!”  In an attempt to flush out anyone here, hiding.  After waiting for a response he turns to Tanakir “top to bottom or you got a better idea?  I’ll follow right behind you.”

“I doubt we can scour the whole tower before this person escapes. We should send someone to the main entrance to see if we can cut them off. As for this... gesturing with the fire ...there doesn’t seem to be a need. Yet. I wonder...”

Letting his thoughts trail off, he walks over to the window and attempte to look down without sticking his head out. Perception: 8

Karst paces constantly the orcs receiving baleful glares as the paladin stands guard, in reply to Ricky he adds "Yes the situation here is still acceptable by industry regulation standards but we do still need to keep them secure, I won't be leaving them unattended in case this spare part attempts to cause a disruption here. Please notify if there is any change in the situation."

Wes stops his trail of thought and Petunia comes to rest around his shoulders.  “You’re right, here take this.  It will be better for you than me.”  Wes hands Tanakir the potion of speed

OOC: Tanakir, Rycider, Wes and Karst have each received 50 XP for the social encounter. Will update inventories if Tanakir wants the potion from Wes.

The red sending stones recovered from the orc guards glow slightly, and a high pitched man's voice starts speaking in Common, "They've taken over the tower. There are 6 to 8 raiders--"

The voice is interrupted by an orcs, "Speak orc, no understand you."

Fumbles' voice, speaking gruffly, follows, "Biz olovni o'chirdik. Xabar beradigan hech narsa yo'q."

For Aradurk:

As Tanakir looks out the window, he sees a patrol of at least two dozen orcs on the perimeter of the tower, arguing about something. One of them is pushed toward the tower, and he starts to make his way toward the entrance.

OOC: What now? This is the second "social encounter" mechanic of this adventure. How does each character feel about the situation and respond to it, in either first or third person?

Rycider, upon hearing the red sending stones will take to her own green one.

What is our situation up there boys?

As Wes goes to hand him the potion, Tanakir pushes it away gently, “No need, I already have one.”

Hearing Rycider’s voice coming in, raises his own green sending stone to his mouth and speaks into it, “It seems our cover is about to be blown. There’s a group of orcs, about two dozen, outside the tower. They’re sending a member in, we need someone to intercept them and convince them that all is well. Barring that, we need to finish up quickly and leave.

Fumbles, do you think you can sow some discord between the common speaker and the orc leader? That should slow them down.”

Muttering under his breath, “Gah, this whole operation is becoming a mess. I don’t even know what I’m doing here.”

He gestures for Wes to follow him down the elevator to meet back up with everyone else, “I don’t think our mystery guest is here anymore, they may have already tripped the alarm. If we can’t find them, we should head back to the others and plan our next step as a unit”

Wes takes his potion back.  “I really think I should go all the way downstairs, hide and keep an eye on the door.  If they all come in and get bottlenecked I can blast them away.  We need more time and can’t have them snooping around.”

Wes follows hurriedly behind Tanakir.

Rycider walks over to Karst and puts a light hand on his shoulder.

Barker, she gives a slight head nod to indicate that this is his name this is still part of a running situation so we need to continue. Please build up some boxes around our guests so they are not immediately visible.

Stand by she says to the green stone.

Ricky grabs her carpetbag and heads to a spot out of sight of the captives. Out of her bag she grabs her make up. She starts applying random splodges of black about her person and face to look like soot.

To the sending stone. Tee, I need you to work your magic and get that fire going again. We want more smoke coming out that window. Obviously we want it under control. I am going to handle the front door situation. We are pivoting gentlemen. Wee man, I need you hidden near me should things go sideways. As she talks she dishevels her hair and bodice.

She heads to the front door with her purse tucked in her vestments. She flings open the doors and addresses the lead orc, breathless.

Thank the gods! her accent has changed again, to that of the lower class We need to get people away from the tower! The fire is threatening some magic items. We might have an explosion. Get people back at least a block. Thankyou Captain! Take this to the local firemen she hands him 50gold I'm not sure the local rates but tell 'em not till I give tha word! She looks up, frantic. Okay now get back and thank you again!

She will then slam the door closed and run back inside.

deception : 22

OOC: Oh dear god. Do I get points for trying?

(OOC: Advantage from Tanakir committing arson on the 6th floor?)

Aradurk quietly closes the doors behind him and makes his way back to the stairs. He quietly utters “1” and steps out, positions himself In the shadows, listening to what Ricky is saying.

Tanakir nods as he receives Rycider’s message, pausing only slightly at being referred to as “Tee”. He lifts the mildly damp curtain and repeatedly casts produce flame on it till it catches.

Hearing the commotion over the sending stones, Zikahl waits near the stairs incase he is needed.

((OOC: Sorry I haven't posted. Been really busy))

Wes makes his way downstairs to keep an eye on the door.  

Moving away from the captive goblins and orcs as much as possible Karst whispers into his stone "Remember our new guard isn't going to fool anyone either, move him or get better at bluffing, do you need me down there?"