"I think I'll go in too... in case some convincing might be useful..." said Angati as she entered with Kassius, straightening her back and looking a bit more noble-ish than she really felt, though still  wearing her armour and weapons "Just remember, he said below... but that doesn't mean necessarily that the entrance is here..." she said almost to herself as if trying to calm down her murdering instincts.

Angati, Celene and Kassius enter the shop, leaving Alohan, Logan and a despondent Kibeti out on the street to wait.

There is no answer to the hunter's knock, so he just pushes the door open which makes a small bell above the entranceway chime. The three adventurers find themselves in a large showroom filled with dozens of stuffed and preserved animals. The collection ranges from parrots, monkeys and bats to more exotic animals like a monstrous centipede, a wyvern and even a horrifically realistic looking rhagodessa. Other than the results of the taxidermical trade, there are a couple of tables to present the smaller specimens and a fine desk.



Within a few seconds a lanky, middle-aged man wearing a rather fine looking green hat enters the room from the door at the other end of the room.

"Ah! Welcome, welcome! Please come in and make yourselves at home. I am Nemien Robloch, master taxidermist, guildmaster and humble proprietor of these premises."

The man smiles widely, revealing a prominent gold tooth in the front of his mouth - Angati notices that the smile doesn't touch his eyes, as these are busy scanning the new arrivals.

A lady of advanced years whose clothes and bearing suggests a high birth - probable good customer.
A woodsman - possible supplier? No doubt bonded to the fine lady.
A young cleric of Wee Jas - wow, look at her!

"Hello Madam!" exclaims Nemien, bowing deeply to Angati. "I am at your service."

He turns to Celene. "And young mistress, I am doubly at YOUR service," he chuckles and twists one side of his elegant moustache while reaching out for her hand with the other. He bends down and attempts to kiss the young cleric's hand.

Meanwhile, back out on the street, the front line fighters are left cooling their heels. A few (5-6) ragged street urchins come around the corner from Monkey Street, playing some sort of game involving kicking rocks into the nearby buildings. The pull up short when the see the two men and the big cat and start whispering to themselves.

OOC: They are still about 60' (20m) away.

Kassius glances the man over. People like this were exactly why he had run away to the woods. He seemed slimy, condescending, and just generally aggravating. No doubt greedy and lecherous as well. He sighs in distaste, although he doubt the man even notices, to consumed with paying attention to the ladies. Instead, Kassius looks over the stuffed corpses, comparing it with his memory of the exotic beasts from the Blue Nixie. He had been wondering for a while where those animals had gone, perhaps he had found their final destination.


06:56, Today: Kassius rolled 10 using 1d20+8.  perception.
2. Ugh...

Celene emits a slight but friendly giggle, letting the sleek bastard kiss his hand, all the while being on the lookout for any signs of magic og rogue-ish treachery. She's not taking any chances with this bunch.

"Oh, that is so... " <another giggle> "generous of you, Sir. In that case, I do hope you would first help my mother. She is looking for some particular impressive raptors and other ... predatious creatures. And she brought a friend to help us with the species."

Looking up at the top of the shelves, Celene spies a large Golden Eagle. "Oh, do look at that one. Marvelous, isn't it?"

While the slimy swashbuckler wannabe shuffles around and climbs his ladder to retrieve it, and Angati fills his ears with endless banter, Celene steps back halfway behind a shelf and utters her incantation.

OOC: Celene casts Charm Person. Will save DC16. Please use Misfortune if required.
You make perception checks for potential treachery, right?
Let me know if my presumptions on the setup move too fast. We can just rewind and edit it it anything hinders the plan.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:58, Fri 13 Nov 2015.

Kassius looked around and tried to see if any of the other exotic stuffed animals matched what was in the hold of the Blue Nixie. But, now he actually thought about it, he couldn't remember what else had been in there other than the hypnotoad and the brass mountain snake... hmm... what else had there been in there besides parrots and the rhagodessa? No, it was useless, he obviously hadn't paid that much attention because he couldn't remember any of the other rare animals - or maybe it was that so much had happened since that day? Anyway, there are no stuffed hypnotoads or brass mountain snakes in this room.



"Why yes my dear! You have a good eye! They are a rare breed of bird indeed, that is why it is so important to catch as many of them as we can and stuff them before they are extinct!" Nemien gets a step ladder and places it so he can climb up and reach the stuffed animal.


14:48, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  Nemien's will save.
OOC: Oh! I so wanted him to make it!


Nemien turns in alarm as he hear incantations behind him, but there is little he can do as he is on top of a step ladder with a large eagle in hand. A second later the man's expression changes as the spell takes effect. His broad grin returns, much more honest looking this time. He returns to the pair of them, the animal in hand.

"And here is the bird my dear. What do you think? I am sure I could work out a good price for you and your mother. Perhaps the two of us could discuss it over dinner?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:59, Sat 14 Nov 2015.

Logan eyed the urchins carefully, knowing their type.  There were a few gangs of pickpockets in training running around Shadowshore, and these lot looked like they might fit in.  Prowling the city?  They should learn some restraint before they get nicked by the guard here.  Shaking his head at the folly of youth, Logan flicked his fingers in a quick gesture.

The toughs and gangs of Shadowshore generally didn't get along, but there were ways to signal someone to lay off.  As long as the potential rivals appreciated your standing and didn't feel like making a play for whatever heist you were planning.  If the urchins were from Shadowshore, or had been trained by some thief-maker there, they might recognize the signal, and leave Logan to his business.

Diplomacy
09:02, Today: Logan rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  Diplomacy.
If these are youths from Shadowshore, Logan also gets a +2 thanks to Child of the Shadows

In reply to Logan (msg # 27):

They're not from Shadowshore, they're local boys.


The boys look at Logan for a few long seconds, taking in the meaning of his hand signals. Then the biggest boy in the group makes a signal back - it isn't official thieves cant as such, but the single finger gesture is still very clear. The boys all snigger, and then run off the way they came. So that is sort of mission successful for Logan, although maybe not in the way he was trying for!

OOC: The street urchins were just to keep the characters out on the street busy and to provide some local colour. Feel free to enter the shop now.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:20, Fri 13 Nov 2015.

Logan shrugs.  "I can handle a few hurt feelings.  Let's see what's going on in the shop."

The rogue turns and walks through the door of the store.

"Well well, I am so glad we get to understand each other" said Angati with a smile, "Do you happen to know of the tunnels below your shop my dear fellow ?... we are looking for Vanthus, and I am sure that Celene here would be most delighted if you would show her and tell us all you know about these matters.".

Nemien's eyes narrow at the mention of 'tunnels below your shop', despite the effect of the charm spell. When Vanthus' name is mentioned his eye grow wide and he quickly shakes his head.

"No. No. No. Ladies, let's not talk about that, it really would not be healthy... for any of us. How do you know about that anyway? Look, how about I throw in..." He reaches round for the smallest stuffed animal to hand. "...a stuffed rat as an extra? What price can we agree on for that?"

OOC: Opposed charisma check please Celene. ie 1d20 + you chr modifier versus Nemiem's roll.

20:11, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 13 using 1d20+1.  Nemien chr roll.

OOC: that's too blunt an approach. He has to not do something he wouldn't normally do, nor anything that's deadly or harmful for him to do. Betraying Vanthus would qualify for all of the above... Charisma roll for the previous blunt approach:
00:48, Today: Celene rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  Charisma roll.

I know retries aren't allowed, but I hope taking a different approach is..?

"Now now, mother didn't explain properly." Celene brushed a finger slowly on the end of Roblachs moustache. "Of course we don't want to disturb Vanthus below for no reason. No, we are here because we have news of the gold his sister hoarded beyond his grasp - the treasure their parents hid on a far-away island. But the fortune is this very minute being moved. If he is to get his due - and you have your part, of course - we are to act now. I dread what he would do if he hears of his inheritance slipping through his fingers, if we are too late to tell him of it - my end would be gruesome, I'm sure. But we'll both share plenty if we are those that deliver the news to him. Then we can have a proper dinner!"

OOC: Yuck. I mean, just...<shudder> yuck.



Nemien shakes his head and lowers his voice to a whisper. "No. Sush, my dear!" he puts one long finger onto her lips. It smells unpleasantly of some sort of preservation chemical. "I am not permitted to speak of the Lotus Dragons on pain of death - and it would probably mean your death too! If you want to contact them, do it in the normal way - ask around in the taverns in the merchant district. Then they will find you, not the other way around."



OOC: It's not the betrayal factor, it is that he has been told not talk about the Lotus Dragons at all. You are ask him to do something very dangerous, possibly lethally so,  to both himself and his new 'friend'. If you want to use this 'charming' approach, then you'll need to use your daily MF reroll. Otherwise Alohan has a different way.

At this point Alohan, Lohan and the cat walk in. Nemiem takes in the sight of them and scowls. One native of the Perl Island - unlikely customer. Logan - OMG, call the watch! And a blue eyed albino panther with the beginnings of anthropomorphic appendages growing out of his shoulders.

"What is this?" he snarls, finally removing his grubby finger from Celene's lips. "I'm a busy man. I don't have time for door-to-door solicitors!" He pauses as he looks Kibeti over a second time. "Although... If you are here to talk about selling that fine specimen then that is something else. How much do you want for it?"

"Yawl?!"

OOC: i don't want to use MF for just any roll. Unless angati can force a better reroll out of Nemiem, i am (well celene is) fine with 'Alohan's approach', as now the man has admitted guilt.

Yuck, yeah i know what you mean. Ends justify the means, i guess?:-) Too adult for this game?
This message was last edited by the player at 08:15, Sat 14 Nov 2015.

Angati made a show of closing the door, turning the sign to closed and coming back towards the man, "I think you do not understand... Celene here, is just wanting to safe your life... Our friend there" she said pointing at Alohan "does not feel such compunction.... Now, you choose, for we know already that you are aware and you are going to end up very badly hurt if you don't share your information with the only friend you have here".

09:21, Today: Angati rolled 29 using 1d20+9.  Diplomacy.
Rolled Diplomacy because I wanted to push him towards trusting more Celene... rather than having the information towards me...

OOC: Oh, I am fine with a bit of moustache stroking :P :D Heck, even the Disney channel has moustache stroking.



OOC: Flipping the 'WE'RE OPEN' sign to 'CLOSED' is always the most intimidating thing you can do to a shopkeeper :D



OOC: Angati lands another massive diplomacy roll (as usual) and the taxidermists attitude is adjusted from friendly to helpful. Mind you, this is a sullen and defeated helpful, rather than a happy helpful.

Nemien's shoulders slump and the first incantation that was on his lips that would have unleashed his magic (and a really cool set piece battle) disappear as he looks towards Alohan and the barbarian does that thing to make his pectoral muscles jiggle up and down rhythmically. "Fine. Fine then," he grumbles with a defeated sigh. "I suppose you people aren't even going to buy anything?"

"Look. I don't work for those Lotus Dragon thieves - damn it, they come and take a quarter of whatever is in my till at the end of each day for fraks sake! But yes, apparently the Lotus Dragon's lair is under my shop. I have never been down there myself, and I'm not even meant to know how they get down there but I have seen them do it a couple of times. Out the back, in Dead Dog Alley, there is the ruins of one of those old water towers. In the middle of that is a hole that goes down to some sort of underground lake - I've seen them jump into that so apparently the water at the bottom is deep enough to break their fall."

"But look. You don't want to mess with those guys - especially that Vanthus creep, he has the manner of a cold blooded killer! And they claim they have a green dragon down there. I mean, just walk away now while you can."

Angati visibly relaxed her tension, "Hmmm... for what is worth, I am sorry for this. We are certainly not going to harm you. Vanthus has already tried to kill us once, and we want to return him the favour so there is really no choice for us here but to face him, else he will come for us anyway".

"You do not need to do anything special" she said as she opened back the entrance door and changed the sign back to open... "and if they come asking, just tell them the truth, do not risk your life for us... if you do raise the alarm though, we will come back for you. We have already survived Vanthus once... "

Turning to her companions she said "Come, let's go quick, while the charm lasts"

Alohan was beginning to have a profound respect for Angati. Her ability to get things done -with the capabilities of a woman decades her junior- was something he was beginning to appreciate. She didn't carry herself like an older lady -nor did she speak like one- and thus the fact that she had continuously gotten what she needed from others was impressive. Celene was also equally resourceful -as were Kassius and Logan- but Angati's ability to manipulate people continued to amaze him.

As they exited the back door, Alohan made sure Dead Dog Alley was clear. He had a bad feeling about the damn street kids and wanted to have some semblance of stealth when approaching what might be the hideout of a prominent thieves guild.

---

Mage Armor: Normally, Alohan is fitted with a fancy studded vest. Now, seeing as that is only an armor bonus of 3, is it safe to assume we can put him in mage armor now? Especially with a wand? We would have to burn charges every so often but the upside is I dont have to wear the vest. I can be one step closer to going full nude. Now if only I had a replacement for this loincloth.

In reply to Alohan Nuari (msg # 39):

OOC: The duration of mage armor from the wand is only one hour so you'd burn through the charges pretty quickly...

Nemien leads the party through the back door into his workshop area, then to the back door that leads straight out into 'Dead Dog Alley'.

"The entrance is about ten yards away, in the middle of that jumble of stones," he says, pointing out through the door across the overgrown square full of weeds and refuse. There is a small mound of big grey stone blocks in the middle of the courtyard, covered in grass and undergrowth.

"Oh, and please, when they capture you, don't mention my name," he pleads. "Although they've told me they have someone down there with the skills and equipment to pry any secret from anyone," he adds in a mutter.

As Celene heads out the door he clasps her hand against his hest. "Young miss! Please don't go down there with these fools and get eaten by that dragon. I don't know how they are making you do this, but stay with me and we can make sweet music together. Or at least sweet stuffed animals!"

After that fond farewell, the party heads over to the pile of stones and quickly locates a hole in the middle. Looking down they can just see the surface of the water below in the dim light filtering down from the hole - it looks to be about 30' down to the underground lake. There isn't enough light to see anything other than the area directly below them and the adjacent surroundings. The air from the cavern below is cool and moist, and only the sound of slowly dropping water can be heard.

There is also a thick rope handing from an iron spike hammered into a big flagstone, and stretching all the way to the surface of the water.

OOC: I haven't made a map for this. Due to limited light you can just see one 5' square in full light and then the surround 9 5' squares in dim light. He are the rules for diving into the water (assuming it is deep enough to break your fall like Nemein said the thieves did), or you can climb down on the rope.

Logan peers down into the water.  "There must be another entrance - they certainly can't get out this way.

The rogue turns to more closely examine the "helpful" taxidermist.  "You're sure this is the way down?"

16:33, Today: Logan rolled 12 using 1d20+2.  SEnse Motive.

Despite Logan's inquiry Alohan slaps the man on the back and slips down the hole. As he descends he grabs the rope and releases his grip on the level above, quickly putting his full weight on the piton. He had been aggressive with it -making sure the device could hold him at a moments notice. He didn't want the device giving way when Angati and Celene made their descent. If it had loosened, Alohan was the best prepared to make the fall unscathed, especially since he spent so much time jumping from the waterfalls of Nuari island. 'What I did to impress the ladies. Doesn't look like much has changed' he thought to himself as he began to descend.

---

17:10, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 17 using 1d20+4 ((13)) Climb
Swim is +4, Acrobatics is +6. Feel free to roll if the rope gives way. Also, at the first hint of the water below being deep enough to drop into, Alohan will.

Kassius glares at the man when he describes Kibeti as a speciman, although he keeps his mouth shut. His eyes however, promise pain and death should the man even touch Kibeti.


Kassius calls Kibeti in, and the two follow the rest of the party to the back, both with matching distrustful glares directed at the proprietor. As Kassius looks over the hole, he feels the need to comment.
"I don't like this. It's deja vu, all over again. How do we know this isn't yet another frakking trap?" Kassius says ominously, looking over yet another hole in the ground that they're expected to jump down with no assurance of being able to come back up.