Dustyn will follow the others

Quiem Perception - 9

Dr. Quiem -- with a little searching you notice -- on the panel next to the wall that seems loose-- a small rivet that seems out of place amid all the corrugated, rusted metal panels on the catwalk. As you study the wall closely, you notice that this rivet looks less like a rivet and more like a button. As you press the button, the heavy iron wall swings wide open, and reveals a tunnel that goes down, at least as far as your darkvision can penetrate. You can't really make anything out other than the stairs immediately in front of you that lead downwards into the darkness.

"Well that's interesting. There are a lot of rumors about secret passageways in the sewers but I always dismissed them as such, rumors. It seems there was some truth to it after all."

While his direct environment is still stinky, Donaar can't help but feel giddy at the prospect of exploring a secret tunnel.

As the group descends into the tunnel, only those with darkvision are able to see as you enter a large chamber that is probably 60 or 70 feet long and wide.

DM Stuff

Dr. Quiem and WIlkas

 For those of you without darkvision, you see nothing and the room is pitch black, although, as you feel along in the room, you can tell there are, at the very least, furnishings in this strange, dark hidden space.

Michael would cast light on a stone from his pocket.

Quiem calls out to the group, "Saw someone on the move, this way!" and follows the figure to the passage, looking in but not moving through it. 

Dustyn will move whichever way Quiem etc pointed

The group, aided by the light projected from Michael's spell sees the room around them. The model of Port Zoon in particular is very impressive, if somewhat crudely constructed. The notes that line the walls, in the brief glimpses you get, seem to be focused on tracking Port Zoon's most notable citizens, the Marquis himself being one of the prime targets.

As the group follows the figure into the next chamber, you notice a series of cots set up as though there were a number of people staying down here. You notice five cots set up in close proximity, with an additional two cots set slightly apart from the main cots. However, the figure does not appear to be in the chamber. There are no other visible exits other than the way you came in, and no one else seems to be in the chamber, apart from a few scurrying rats that are picking at some bread someone carelessly left near their cot.

Dustyn

Can I check to make sure he’s not hiding in the room somewhere?

2 +4 for perception; +1 for investigation

”They escaped...”

Dr. Quiem is going to move further into the room and try to see if the figure left any trace of where they went. Investigation: 21

"It seems that we stumbled upon something we were not meant to see. Judging by the notes all around, whoever is behind this seems to be tailing notorious people from this city. I think it would be best if we could bring back this information."

Donaar takes out a sheet of parchment and starts copying the information he finds on the wall in the room before.

bMichael sets up a guard position near the door to the room, keeping an eye out for the others.

Donaar Investigation (with Disadvantage since the room is so dark and Michael is only at the doorway) - 12

Donaar, you aren't able to get as much written down as you'd like, as you really can only see the notations available near the doorway. You still are able to copy down some information about Marquis Almads Haddou, as well as an Air Genasi by the name of Luft-linn, who seems to be involved in some sort of smuggling operation with ties to Shadycreek Run and a group known only as the Iron Shepherds. The sheer amount of information here is voluminous and would take much more time to properly catalog.

(DAMN -- Dr. Quiem with the Investigative genius lately)

Dustyn, you toss aside much of the bedding in the chamber and find only lots of hay, newspaper, and any other stray bits of garbage whoever is down here was able to scavenge to create makeshift mattresses.

Dr. Quiem as you look around methodically in the chamber, ignoring Dustyn's frantic tearing of the bedding, you feel a blast of warm, fetid air as you approach the back of the chamber. To your left, along the floor, is a iron grate. As you examine the grate you see a humanoid creature inside though you can't quite make out much more than the shape.

"L--l--listen. Perhaps we can m-m-m-make a deal. Let me out and promise you w-w-w-won't hurt me and maybe we can do a trade."

Quiem cocks an eyebrow and crouches by the grate. "Eheh, well, friend, I don't know that you're in much of a position to bargain. How about we start with a little introduction and we go from there. I am the esteemed  Dr. Abba Quiem, researcher and mad scientist extraordinaire. Now you go." He extends a hand towards the figure in the grate.

Quiem Persuasion - 16

There is a little giggle in Dr. Quiem's voice, and you hear an audible gasp of disgust from the figure inside the drain.

"I k-k-know who you are. ALL of you. And there are m-m-m-more of us than there are of you. I just n-n-n-need to wait. And you all will be very sorry. I can give you something so m-m-m-much bigger than that dwarf." There is a pause, then the figure adds "Figuratively, of course."

Quiem Perception - 14

As the figure speaks to you, Dr. Quiem, you have the sense that you encountered this creature before...

Quiem raises his eyebrow and squints at the figure. Suppose I could move this conversation somewhere more- eh, private, but somehow I don't think they'd be too keen on some mental conversation. They clearly think I'm not in charge up here, maybe I should run with it, He drops his voice, adding what he imagines to be a creepy hiss, "Oh that is very interesting. We would so love to hear why your puny little mind possibly thinks you and your little friends can possibly be a threat to us."

Deception/intimidation (the roll is the same either way, so it's really up to what you think the situation calls for, jabritton): 8

The intimidating timbre of Quiem's voice seems to shake the figure and it comes a little closer -- you are able to make out now that its the Tabaxi from The Harpy's Beak, Storm-on-Sea. As you recognize her, she comes out, hands raised slowly. She looks in a pretty sorry state -- her fur is even patchier than usual and matted, but as she comes out, you notice a few of the rats in the room swarm over her and seem to gather at her feet and ankles. It seems a little disgusting, but Storm-on-Sea hardly notices.

"We have the dwarf. He is one of us n-n-n-now. We will n-n-n-not let you take him. B-b-but we can give you something m-m-much more. My family and I collect...k-k-k-knowledge."

She looks over each of you and her eyes fall first on Quiem, then move to Michael and Donaar, then Wilkas before finally settling on Dustyn. "We know all about you. ALL of you. Why you are the way you are. Your h-h-histories before finding each other. How some of you hate certain...powerful interests here. What if I can tell you secrets? Things n-n-n-no one else here knows. D-D-Dangerous secrets. About the M-m-marquis, or the M-m-m-Myriad. Or perhaps you want to know about the Revelry? Something very interesting is in store for Port Zoon. M-m-m-much more interesting than what happened to Wally. We make a deal and you leave without Wally and f-f-f-forget you ever found these tunnels, and we tell you something."

Storm-on-Sea waits patiently, and it seems as though the rats all turn and look at you as well, awaiting an answer.

"And what exactly are you?" Michael asks with a frown.

Storm-on-Sea chuckles. "Let us say that I am p-p-part of a group that gathers information and uses it where we see fit. K-k-k-k-knowledge is power, especially here in P-P-Port Zoon. We do not bring others often into our group, but when we do its because they have something of value. Waldmar Glassanvil did and he n-n-needed p-p-protection. We offered it to him."

She looks over all of you. "You are correct Abba Quiem, in that you could easily k-k-kill me where I stand. You may even find Wally in our quarters. I p-p-p-promise you thoug, if you strike me down, my brothers and sisters will make life in P-P-Port Zoon very un-p-p-pleasant for you." 

She watches the rats for a moment, then moves towards the door slowly. "I would ask you not to write anything further down, Donaar Daardendrian. That was not your k-k-knowledge to gather."

“Our business isn’t finished til we have the dwarf. Explain how your deal helps us.” Dustyn is gruff, but keeps his voice down.