"We don't know anything!", Knok says angrily, pounding one cracked, green fist into the other palm. "The boxes come from somewhere, they go to the square, they go here, and Messenger Krusk says if we don't find out where they come from and who has them, then bad, bad things will happen."
Knok glares at the halflings, Not Us's small like him, but so very different. "Knok doesn't know who they are, but Knok intends to find out, and find out who's responsible for this. You wait here," he says to Tanni and Jonathan, "I'll be back with everyone else. Knok is tired of walking around knowing nothing."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Knok Gnome-friend|Goblin Fighter (Eldritch Knight) 3 | The Joys of Balance
Tanni is growing tired of walking and skulking around. She's always been a straight-forward person and this watching and not-acting is getting on her nerves. Her fingers drum the head of her warhammer and she mumbles to herself "We should just go and crack the crates open. If they object, we crack them across the head."
When Knok makes his intentions known, Tanni nods grumpily. "Very well, but hurry. All this sneaking around is very irritating. We'll make sure the crates don't move while you get the others." She then leans her back against a wall and puts her hand in her pocket, fiddling idly the small figurine of Sorata and checking occasionally on the crates and the halflings.
OOC
Everyone, sorry for my lack of participation last week. Had to deal with a lot of personal stuff, but that's settled now.
The day continues as the sun does its dance across the sky. Jonathan and Tanni find a comfortable spot at a nearby street cafe that looks out over the back street. They're offered a refreshing beverage and a small offering of food. It isn't the best food they've had but it definitely hits the spot. They continue watching the hafling sitting on the crate of goods. He seems to be watching the street as he flips a small gold coin in the air. It isn't long before the other haflings return and they resume their game of cards.
Jonathan looks to Tanni, "This is getting a little tedious." He complains in a slight hushed tone. "Maybe that Knok thing is right, though I wouldn't condone breaking and entering."
Tanni takes a slow sip of her drink and glances at the halflings before answering: "Tedious and irksome. We'll see what the others think when they get back." She pauses to take another slow sip. "if it bothers you, think of it as the ends justifying the means. If we find something nefarious, we've done the right thing. If we don't, we pay for the damages and find another clue." She brushes her thumb across the figurine in her pocket and adds thoughtfully: "If Taren's hunch is right, we must find what's going on here, even if it means stepping on a few toes."
Knok is heading back to the shop, and failing that, the alley, where the crate was being opened, to try to find anyone else he thinks might be able to join him in digging up some answers.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Knok Gnome-friend|Goblin Fighter (Eldritch Knight) 3 | The Joys of Balance
The sounds of rain falls against the awning of the cafe as Jonathan and Tanni enjoy their brief moment of rest and munchies. It doesn't take long until the dry dirt roads take on the falling water. You watch as the haflings swipe up the cards and begin to move the crate that formally made up their table to the side of the building and disappear from view. The streets begin to clear as more and more people decide to find dry places to spend the time.
Based on the mannerisms of the halfling that was sitting on the crate earlier, you're both able to discern that he's probably in charge of the small group. You haven't noticed any signs of weapons or wrongdoing beyond accepting the crate that came from the odd merchant's booth.
It takes a bit of time, but you both notice Knok returning up the road from the town square.
Retracing his steps, Knok returns to Jonathan and Tanni, scimitar drawn, and eyes alert for any possible attack that might come at him on the now mostly deserted streets of Holden Heights.
Approaching Jonathan and Tanni, Knok states simply, "They're gone. All of them. Found blood - there was a fight or something."
Composing himself, drawing in a deep breath, Knok's eyes snap into sharp focus. "The god told me this morning - we have to find the artifacts. Any of them we can find. And we need to take them to Messenger Krusk at the Temple of Shamara." Pointing towards the building that houses the halflings, he continues, "It's only us, and we know there's crates in there. We don't know where the others have gone, so we can't help them. We can still help Holden Heights, though."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Knok Gnome-friend|Goblin Fighter (Eldritch Knight) 3 | The Joys of Balance
"They just appear to be honest workers from what I've seen of them."Jonathan mentions on the subject of the halflings. "Beside that, what do you mean that the others are gone?" He sighs, "You just can't get good work out of some people."
(I'm all for looking for the origins of these crates, Jonathan's not really the one who would want to bust into somewhere and interrogate people he hasn't seen doing anything wrong.
Knok twists his mouth, unsure how to explain himself with his limited vocabulary. "Gone. Like Knok said - there was a fight, Knok found blood, but no sign that anyone left the alley other than the way Knok came in. Rain made it hard to follow tracks, not that there were any to follow. No sign of them, or where they went. Knok came back here.
"You say they just workers, then Knok says we have to go back to Krusk. He will know what to do next."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Knok Gnome-friend|Goblin Fighter (Eldritch Knight) 3 | The Joys of Balance
The trio make their way back through the streets and into the town square. Your cloaks are soaking wet and the cool air offers a bit of a chill as you approach the giant doors to the Shrine of Shamarra.
You arrive at the gates to the shrine and find there are no acolytes outside of the building like normal. The facade of the shrine has seen better days as large chunks of the marble have yet to be replaced. The large wooden doors are several stories tall and are carved with various miracles of Shamara including the Great Healing on one door and the Great Gift on the other.
The Great Healing carving shows an abundance of sick villagers all gathered round a small offering plate in prayer. On the large plate are treasures from across the region that the people have offered in hopes of being healed. Floating above them is a figure with a large halo. Her hands are outstretched above them. Wisps of energy are depicted floating from the sick toward this figure as they are healed by her glory.
The Great Gift carving shows a large group of villagers kneeling before the Red Cliffs. The goddess floats above them as large trees are transported to the town from the forests carried on the backs of villagers and beast. Monstrous metal chains are being carried by hoards of craftsmen brought to her as well. The carving shows her bringing these groups and items together to create the the lift that has made Holden Heights the place of importance it has been for hundreds of years.
You gather yourselves and pull open the giant wooden doors and find the main prayer room inside of the shrine that accounts for most of the building's structure.
You notice there is a rather large group of travelers and locals gathered around a central statue of Shamara. Around the edges of the room are stained glass windows depicting Shamara's great deeds as well as those that have been blessed into her servitude. Small groups of people are gathered in prayer throughout the shrine.
The center statue has many large offering plates where those seeking to give to the church can place their coin or valuables. Acolytes are spread across the room answering questions and praying with those that seek it. The interior of the room is mostly polished marble and there is very little comforts here beyond a few marble benches to sit.
An elven acolyte approaches you. "Welcome to the Mother's Shrine," she says. "May the Mother's blessing find you in good health."
At the rear of the room, you watch as two large doors swing open and the figure of a female wood elf emerges. There is a bit of relief when you recognize her as Eira from earlier. She seems rather saddened for some reason and moves briskly toward the entrance to the shrine and away from the doorway she just exited.
"We don't know anything!", Knok says angrily, pounding one cracked, green fist into the other palm. "The boxes come from somewhere, they go to the square, they go here, and Messenger Krusk says if we don't find out where they come from and who has them, then bad, bad things will happen."
Knok glares at the halflings, Not Us's small like him, but so very different. "Knok doesn't know who they are, but Knok intends to find out, and find out who's responsible for this. You wait here," he says to Tanni and Jonathan, "I'll be back with everyone else. Knok is tired of walking around knowing nothing."
Knok Gnome-friend | Goblin Fighter (Eldritch Knight) 3 | The Joys of Balance
Tanni is growing tired of walking and skulking around. She's always been a straight-forward person and this watching and not-acting is getting on her nerves. Her fingers drum the head of her warhammer and she mumbles to herself "We should just go and crack the crates open. If they object, we crack them across the head."
When Knok makes his intentions known, Tanni nods grumpily. "Very well, but hurry. All this sneaking around is very irritating. We'll make sure the crates don't move while you get the others." She then leans her back against a wall and puts her hand in her pocket, fiddling idly the small figurine of Sorata and checking occasionally on the crates and the halflings.
OOC
Everyone, sorry for my lack of participation last week. Had to deal with a lot of personal stuff, but that's settled now.
The day continues as the sun does its dance across the sky. Jonathan and Tanni find a comfortable spot at a nearby street cafe that looks out over the back street. They're offered a refreshing beverage and a small offering of food. It isn't the best food they've had but it definitely hits the spot. They continue watching the hafling sitting on the crate of goods. He seems to be watching the street as he flips a small gold coin in the air. It isn't long before the other haflings return and they resume their game of cards.
Knok, where are you heading?
(Hey, back in town now, so back to posting)
Jonathan looks to Tanni, "This is getting a little tedious." He complains in a slight hushed tone. "Maybe that Knok thing is right, though I wouldn't condone breaking and entering."
Tanni takes a slow sip of her drink and glances at the halflings before answering: "Tedious and irksome. We'll see what the others think when they get back." She pauses to take another slow sip. "if it bothers you, think of it as the ends justifying the means. If we find something nefarious, we've done the right thing. If we don't, we pay for the damages and find another clue." She brushes her thumb across the figurine in her pocket and adds thoughtfully: "If Taren's hunch is right, we must find what's going on here, even if it means stepping on a few toes."
OOC:
Knok is heading back to the shop, and failing that, the alley, where the crate was being opened, to try to find anyone else he thinks might be able to join him in digging up some answers.
Knok Gnome-friend | Goblin Fighter (Eldritch Knight) 3 | The Joys of Balance
Tanni and Jonathan may roll a perception check
Perception: 13
The sounds of rain falls against the awning of the cafe as Jonathan and Tanni enjoy their brief moment of rest and munchies. It doesn't take long until the dry dirt roads take on the falling water. You watch as the haflings swipe up the cards and begin to move the crate that formally made up their table to the side of the building and disappear from view. The streets begin to clear as more and more people decide to find dry places to spend the time.
Based on the mannerisms of the halfling that was sitting on the crate earlier, you're both able to discern that he's probably in charge of the small group. You haven't noticed any signs of weapons or wrongdoing beyond accepting the crate that came from the odd merchant's booth.
It takes a bit of time, but you both notice Knok returning up the road from the town square.
Retracing his steps, Knok returns to Jonathan and Tanni, scimitar drawn, and eyes alert for any possible attack that might come at him on the now mostly deserted streets of Holden Heights.
Approaching Jonathan and Tanni, Knok states simply, "They're gone. All of them. Found blood - there was a fight or something."
Composing himself, drawing in a deep breath, Knok's eyes snap into sharp focus. "The god told me this morning - we have to find the artifacts. Any of them we can find. And we need to take them to Messenger Krusk at the Temple of Shamara." Pointing towards the building that houses the halflings, he continues, "It's only us, and we know there's crates in there. We don't know where the others have gone, so we can't help them. We can still help Holden Heights, though."
Knok Gnome-friend | Goblin Fighter (Eldritch Knight) 3 | The Joys of Balance
Gathered at the small cafe, Jonathan, Tanni, and Knok think out their next plan. .
"They just appear to be honest workers from what I've seen of them." Jonathan mentions on the subject of the halflings. "Beside that, what do you mean that the others are gone?" He sighs, "You just can't get good work out of some people."
(I'm all for looking for the origins of these crates, Jonathan's not really the one who would want to bust into somewhere and interrogate people he hasn't seen doing anything wrong.
Knok twists his mouth, unsure how to explain himself with his limited vocabulary. "Gone. Like Knok said - there was a fight, Knok found blood, but no sign that anyone left the alley other than the way Knok came in. Rain made it hard to follow tracks, not that there were any to follow. No sign of them, or where they went. Knok came back here.
"You say they just workers, then Knok says we have to go back to Krusk. He will know what to do next."
Knok Gnome-friend | Goblin Fighter (Eldritch Knight) 3 | The Joys of Balance
Jonathan nods. "It would seem that way. Come, let us go see this Krusk, perhaps then we can look into finding our missing comrades."
The trio make their way back through the streets and into the town square. Your cloaks are soaking wet and the cool air offers a bit of a chill as you approach the giant doors to the Shrine of Shamarra.
You arrive at the gates to the shrine and find there are no acolytes outside of the building like normal. The facade of the shrine has seen better days as large chunks of the marble have yet to be replaced. The large wooden doors are several stories tall and are carved with various miracles of Shamara including the Great Healing on one door and the Great Gift on the other.
The Great Healing carving shows an abundance of sick villagers all gathered round a small offering plate in prayer. On the large plate are treasures from across the region that the people have offered in hopes of being healed. Floating above them is a figure with a large halo. Her hands are outstretched above them. Wisps of energy are depicted floating from the sick toward this figure as they are healed by her glory.
The Great Gift carving shows a large group of villagers kneeling before the Red Cliffs. The goddess floats above them as large trees are transported to the town from the forests carried on the backs of villagers and beast. Monstrous metal chains are being carried by hoards of craftsmen brought to her as well. The carving shows her bringing these groups and items together to create the the lift that has made Holden Heights the place of importance it has been for hundreds of years.
You gather yourselves and pull open the giant wooden doors and find the main prayer room inside of the shrine that accounts for most of the building's structure.
You notice there is a rather large group of travelers and locals gathered around a central statue of Shamara. Around the edges of the room are stained glass windows depicting Shamara's great deeds as well as those that have been blessed into her servitude. Small groups of people are gathered in prayer throughout the shrine.
The center statue has many large offering plates where those seeking to give to the church can place their coin or valuables. Acolytes are spread across the room answering questions and praying with those that seek it. The interior of the room is mostly polished marble and there is very little comforts here beyond a few marble benches to sit.
An elven acolyte approaches you. "Welcome to the Mother's Shrine," she says. "May the Mother's blessing find you in good health."
At the rear of the room, you watch as two large doors swing open and the figure of a female wood elf emerges. There is a bit of relief when you recognize her as Eira from earlier. She seems rather saddened for some reason and moves briskly toward the entrance to the shrine and away from the doorway she just exited.
Jonathan looks down to Knok. "Well, you know who we need to talk to." He comments.
Perception check: 10