Selvin looked thoughtful for a long moment before he spoke up to Zuni's question. "After...Lamm....we were working with the City Guard. One o'the things we did involved Thousand Bones. He was part of a...what'd ya call it....diplomatic envoy?...Anyway, his nephew was the chieftain's son an' apparently not only got killed in the city but the body somehow got sold t'a necromancer!!" He shook his head in disbelief and disgust.

"So we got sent in t'the necromancer's lair, which was SO much fun!" Obvious sarcasm there. "We not only got the body back but picked up a certain half-orc spellcaster while we were in there. We returned the body t'Thousand Bones. I mean, all in all, a lil' creepy older guy decked out in bones but he was reasonable enough t'let us go in an' handle it rather than like start a diplomatic incident or anything. An'...he said he was in our debt afterwards which is why we have t'go see 'im specifically."

Zuni let all of what Selvin had said sink in.  "So he's not likely to try and skewer us as soon as we walk in the front door.  I can live with that." she mused.  The docks seemed to be deserted and some scavenger part of her wanted to check the around and see what they could loot.  Old habits really die hard.  "Since we're here, let's take a look around.  I'm not one to pass up a chance to...acquire...supplies."

Keeping an eye out, Zuni started up the dock.

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 9):

As you suspected, the larger building seems to be a warehouse.  The door is broken open, the thick padlock which once secured it is ripped into two pieces and laying on the ground.

A sign in front of the other building reads Orl's Worms n' Such  Below those words are printed Beer and Fresh Fried Fish.  There are no lights inside but the building seems intact.

Which one first?

Selvin, while his eyes were drawn to the word Beer, he immediately moved in to check the warehouse first. He could see in the dark so he put up no light to start with, just for a moment before his allies joined him to see if there was anything.

14:02, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 21 using 1d20+13.  Perception.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 11):

Peering through the spaces in the partly broken door, you can see the warehouse was ransacked. Crates appear to have been clawed open or were thrown against the wall.  Scratch marks on the walls show it was definitely a beast that did it, though they would have rather large claws.

There are a few crates that appear undamaged.

There seems to be no one or nothing around

Zuni, who could not see in the dark, produced a torch and prepared to light it but paused.  "I don't suppose anyone has a nice Light spell that I can borrow."  she asked.  "Do you see anything of interest, Selvin?"

Selvin thought that seemed very suspicious. He pulled back out and said, "Yes." He cast Light on piece of debris and then tossed it to Zuni.

"And yes." He nodded towards the warehouse's insides. "It's been ransacked, like by somethin' with claws. Big claws." He shook his head. "There're a few undamaged crates in there. Best check for traps."

Zuni caught the glowing piece of debris and stepped up to the door beside Selvin.  "That sounds like my cue.  The traps not the claws."  She gave Selvin a wry grin.  "I'll leave the claws to you and your glowing friend."

Zuni checked the door and, baring any potential traps, gave one last look back towards the others and then pushed it open.

OOC:
Rolling Perception and Disable Device ahead of time, just in case.
Perception -> 22
Disable Device ->26

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 15):

If the door did have traps, they went off when who- or whatever mooked through the first time.

The crates contain some interesting goodies.  Dried apricots.  Salt packed smoked salmon.  Some mushrooms that you don't know the name of but are probably worth a hundred coins an ounce.  These smugglers seem to have been moving high end groceries.

You do find a serviceable looking heavy cross bow.  And one of crates has probably enough crossbow bolts to last you the rest of your life.  Three hundred of them maybe.  The bolts looks fairly high end.  Consider them masterwork.

There's a note in the bolt box.  For shipment/Paid.  To C. Lander

Otherwise, that seems to be it for the warehouse.

The food stuffs were a surprise find, especially with the pile of rotting apples outside.  Zuni picked up one of the dried apricots and took a bite to see if it was still any good.  She then sniffed at the dried salmon.  Oh, how nice a meal this would all make, she thought as her mouth started to water a little.  After all that time scrounging for supplies in Korvosa, this was an unbelievable find and she wanted to take it all.  She could think of a few townsfolk who would love to make a meal of all of this, including herself.

Zuni hefted the crossbow and felt the weight of the weapon.  It was certainly heavier than her bow and felt more unwieldy.  From the looks of it though it might be able to give her bow some competition, not that her bow was anything special.  Resting the crossbow against the crate, she next pulled out one of the bolts and examined it in the magical light.  She let out an appreciative whistle. "Nice quality.  This is not something that I would expect to be lying around in such numbers."

She looked back at the others.  "It would be a real shame to leave this here.  Anyone want a crossbow?  Izzick?  Chandanar?"

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 17):

Chandanar shrugs.  I suppose I can carry it if no one else wishes to.  I need the workout.

The apricot is still good.  So is the salmon.

In reply to The Dealer (msg # 18):

Did ya'll want to investigate the other building?  Or move on?  Thanks

Zuni hands the crossbow to Chandanar, along with a handful of bolts.  She was pretty sure that he could gather up as many as he needed.  She went back to the crate with the apricots and took another handful to munch on.  They were too tasty and sweet for her to pass up.  Some of the salmon along with more of the apricot disappeared unapologetically into her pack.

"Let's check out the next building."  she said, her words slightly muffled from her chewing on the dried fruit.  "Anyone else want some?  The fruit and fish are still good.  Spoils of the adventure and all that."

Selvin frowned in thought as he stared at the words. "C. Lander." He glanced at the group questioningly. "C. Lander? That ring a bell with anyone?"

He gave a nod to Zuni. "Sure. Next buildin' 'fore we move on suits me jus' fine." He took the lead up until they reached the entrance and then gave Zuni time and room to check it for traps.

12:03, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 15 using 1d20+13.  Perception for traps.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 21):

The tavern, since that's what it seems to function as, seems much more intact than the warehouse.  It is roughly an L shape, with the main door in the middle of the long section.  The back end is probably the kitchen and private quarters.  It looks like there is a separate entrance around the side.

As you get closer, you can pick up an odd smell.  Sadly, it's one you've all become used to in the past month.  The scent of decaying bodies.  You would guess there will be quite a charnel house inside.

It seems to be coming from beyond the main door, which you would assume leads into the bar and common room.

"I think I'll pass on any food we find laying around," though he wasn't entirely sure how much better food found in the city would be. As they began to go through the door, it became all more apparent why the food had never been delivered in the first place. "Plague again? Or our predator from outside?"

Zuni wrinkled her nose at the foul smell and then had to cover her nose.  "A Predator would be easier to deal with but I'd prefer if it was neither.  Best be on our toes regardless."  She replied, slowly cracking open the main door to peer inside.

OOC:
Perception ->13 (the smell is making  her eyes water)

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 24):

If it was the plague, it was a very fastidious strain of the virus.  The bodies have been neatly stacked along the bar.

It appears a fight broke out.  It's tough to tell, what with all the watery eyes and dim moonlight, but you would guess the fight was about a week ago.  The dead men and women were probably the owners, servants, and guests of the post.  There are twelve of them in total.

The rest of the room is filled with broken tables and chairs, dried blood stains thick enough to mistake for garish carpeting, and other remnants.

Selvin was thinking that for once it was not such a great thing to be able to see in both darkness and dim light with equal ability. His nose wrinkled a bit from where he was situated inside his other-wordly ally. He frowned at the carnage and shook his head, letting out a sigh.

"Stupid bloody waste."

He looked around just to see if he could tell what had done this or if there were any interesting clues, but he didn't want to spend a lot of time doing so. They had better things to do, unfortunately.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 26):

You poke around...


The people were killed with sharp objects.  At first you think they might have been claws of some wild animal, but you dismiss that.  They look more like the marks of someone with a clawed cestus.  A couple of people died of sword blows and one shows signs of poisoning...you even find the blow dart on the back of his neck...but most of the carnage was by someone who has an identity crisis with a badger.

Under the rubble from one of the tables you find a red glove.  A mark is on it.  One you've come to love so well.  The Red Mantis.  Your friends in the death cult were here before you.

Chandanar pokes a thumb at the guys on the bar.  Did you wanna ask one of them what happened?  We have that scroll that would let us talk to dead people.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:32, Mon 06 Feb 2017.

Selvin rocked back on his heels. A grimace stretched his face as he finished his search. His voice was quiet when he spoke again. "I know what happened here. These people were killed." He swung his head to look at Chandanar. "By Red Mantis assassins."

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 28):

Chandanar clicks his tongue and looks at the bodies.  Those guys again.  They were at that underground place where the Plague was being made.  I guess it's safe to say they're working with the Queen, huh?

Zuni steps closer to look at the mark on the glove.  "...red mantis..." she said thoughtfully.  "I don't think that I've ever seen a Red Mantis."  Frowning, she went over to one of the bodies and started to examine it.  Not knowing much of the Red Mantis beyond rumours and the whisperings of old women, Zuni was curious to see the evidence of these assassins.

"Why would Red Mantis slaughter everyone in a tavern?" Zuni looked back at the others.  "Maybe we should ask one of the dead for a little more information."

Chandanar shrugs and reaches into a pouch, pulling out this and that before settling on a scroll tube.  He unrolls it, studies it a second, and then nods.  I think we'll get be able to get four questions out of them with this supplication.

He studies the bodies a moment.  He nods at one that seems better dressed.  He might be the owner.  Or a merchant.  That one... he nods at another body which seems to be equipped with the best armor.  ...is probably the best warrior out of all of them.  At least by appearances.  So he may have noticed something about the group's tactics or some such.  And she... he indicates the body of what you guess would be the tavern's server.  ...may have been pretty observant.  At least I think anyone who has to sling drinks in a place like this would have to be to stay healthy.  You guys decide which one we want to talk to.  I'd suggest since we have four questions and there's four of us, we each ask one question.  Fair enough?
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 01:21, Wed 08 Feb 2017.

Selvin gave a shrug at Zuni. "Why would Red Mantis be workin' with the Queen's forces as well? Who knows, other than maybe bein' paid."

He frowned in thought at Chandanar's laying out of what they had available and how they should choose from. He looked over each for a long moment, then gave another shrug. "I vote the server, personally."