Thankfully between all your efforts, poor Halek is rescued. Raknesh manages to lift the beam and Bryon whisks him away until soon enough you all find yourselves on the street outside the building, which is still collapsing in on itself.

Halek is bleeding heavily from his legs and he plops down on the ground, exhausted. I guess we know what has been luring people to their deaths now, he says tiredly. Do you think he's dead?

Meanwhile, a crowd has gathered to gawk at the sight as debris crumbles into the street, blocking the path somewhat and covering everything in dust and bits of shattered brick. A stout, middle aged woman pushes her way towards you. She looks most angry. Is this your doing? I leave my shop for one lousy hour and you've completely ruined it! she points towards a small building directly across the street from the one you've just destroyed. The windows are all shattered from debris and the entrance is covered as well. I hope you intend to pay for your damages! she sniffs.

Bryon laughed at the woman, ”What do you say we have that monster come back and let it eat you?”

I'll have you know, I've managed to avoid that monster for twelve years! If I were so concerned with it, I would not have my shop here. You deciding to be aggressive shouldn't be something I have to pay for! she sniffs, still fuming.

Meanwhile, a small crowd has gathered, with several onlookers. Monster? You mean the little girl who takes people? A wide eyed boy asks. Did you stop her? Did you really stop her?! Judging by the looks on others' faces, they do not share in her displeasure, looking at you with awe. The woman, however, gets even more defensive. Oh, stop looking at them like they're heroes! They ruined my business! They should pay! Someone, fetch a watchman, there should be consequences for this!

Bryon just rolled her eyes.

"I really hope it is, Halek. I managed to hit it a few times as the building collapsed on us."


Outside, he is taken aback by the old woman's ranting.

"You mean you knew there was an huge monster down here, snatching kids away and you did nothing? Not even warned the guard?"  asked Raknesh.

"In that case I must join you in your request. We must wait for a watchmen and there will be consequences... but maybe not the way you expect..."

The woman looks shocked at Raknesh's threat, then realizes she's said too much. The townsfolk all turn to look at her in surprise. You knew it was a monster Lila? one of them accuses. You said it was a ghost, that nothing could be done about it.

She just wanted a break on her rent! another fumes.

What? No. Just a slip of the tongue, that's all! I never realized what it was, you all know that. She starts to look panicked as the crowd grows angrier. I've been a contributor to this neighborhood for years, I'd never lie. She turns to Raknesh with a glare. Now look what you've done! Get out of here, now. I'll even let you off the money you owe me, she hisses in a low voice.

“It would appear this woman has been turning a blind eye to the evil that has plagued this street. I trust you all will handle this situation far better than we outsiders,” Tanzy suggests to the angry crowd. The last thing she wanted was to get wrapped up with the law...

Bryon said, ”Yea, and if not we’ll just come back and finish it ourselves. Laters.”

You manage to extricate yourself from the situation, and indeed, Lila seems to have her hands full now, as the crowds' mood sours all the more. Halek just shakes his head, limping along, but then none of you are unscathed.

As you head away from the place, you see a familiar figure approaching. Loden. There you are! he pants, clearly having been running. Raina sent me out to find you. She needs help with a bit of shopping for our little siren friend here, he pats Tanzy's shoulder with amusement. Seems like she's found most of the basics, but there are a few...more difficult items to procure. As he talks, a tall, gangly fellow catches up to you, apparently having been trying to follow Loden. Raknesh recognizes it as the scrawny bard back at the school. The one so fond of dirty limericks. Don't go so fast! These lungs are meant for singing, not running! Loden rolls his eyes. Ah, and this young man, is Talmet. He's a bit on the bawdy side, and already he's annoying, but he claims he can get us a meeting with someone who can sell us one of the ingredients we need. It won't be easy, he adds. Or cheap. Meanwhile, Talmet, who's barely 18 from the looks of him, looks at Tanzy and Bryon appreciatively. Oh my. What pretty companions you are! Heh, you sure you want to be cured? he asks Tanzy. I'd let you gnaw on my neck any day of the week!

Bryon smiled, faintly, and said (with good cheer), ”I’m married to the most wonderful man alive, so taken. You can look but you cannot touch.”

Tanzy snorts at the newcomers remarks. “Sorry, you’re too scrawny and gangly for my taste,”  She leaves it open to interpretation if she’s referring to a potential partner or the sirens next meal. “As for the items,” she turns her attention to Loden with a grin. “Point me in the right direction and I can make it happen...” While she has refrained from stealing much in present company her pick pocketing skills are no secret.

Talmet looks a bit displeased with Tanzy's rejection, but at least Bryon hasn't discouraged him, so he promptly settles his gaze on her chest with a look of delight, though he shoots Tanzy a glare from time to time. Well, you need a black pearl from the northern sea. Aren't too many around here, but, my stepmother has a necklace of them! It's her prized possession. I despise the woman, so anything you can do to ruin her day would make mine. Only problem, she hates me as much as I hate her. I can get you in probably, but you'll have to lift it yourself. Oh, and there's the other little problem. She runs the local assassin's guild so...she could kill you. A lot.

Bryon smiled and let him have his looks. Looking was fine by her, touching was completely out of the question. She waited for the others to decide how to proceed.

"You, decidedly, have a peculiar family..." said Raknesh, not particularly pleased to see that youngling again.

"But apparently she doesn't hate you enough to use her talents or guild to make her live easier.   Maybe she would pay us with a pearl if we offer her the possibility?" he added with a slightly wicked smile, just to see the young man's reaction.

He quickly continued, as he didn't want Halek to have a wrong impression.
"But let's not be hasty. Are you entirely certain there is no other way? I'm not exactly looking forward to adding another person wanting to kill us on our list..."

Talmet looks a bit startled by Raknesh's suggestion, taking a wary step back. Rude. And you're the ones who will have to figure out the necklace thing, not me. I can just get you in, for a price. I know when her guards are at their heaviest and lightest, and what sorts of things she likes. If you don't want to make her your enemy then you'll have to make sure she doens't know it is you who stole from her. Or, you could try to barter, I suppose, but good luck with coming up with something better than that necklace. My fool father gave it to her, he rolls his eyes. I mean, maybe if you had a way to counterfeit one? But she'd never sell it, she's too dead gone over my father. Uggh. The pair are sickening!

“What about recruitment? Is she looking for any new members?” Really all they need is to get close enough to snag a pearl, hopefully without her noticing. “Or does she go out much? I’d rather catch her off guard when she isn’t surrounded by her minions.” Tanzy frowns “Also I don’t think it’s necessary for everyone to get involved, I won’t have anyone getting hurt on my account.”

Bryon continued to listen to the planning.

Talmet frowns at Tanzy's questions. You know...I could see recruitment working. She's always on the lookout for new pawns. And you all look somewhat bloodthirsty...'cept for the kid, he makes a face at Halek. Leave the pipsqueak with a sitter. Halek says nothing to this, just listens calmly. You have a feeling it would take a lot to insult the child. Yeah...I think this might work. You go in as new blood. She'll have a challenge for you of course, she's all about challenges, he rolls his eyes. But if you think you can live through it, you'll have access to her manor. Should be pretty simple to lift it after that, right?

ooc: Let me know if you decide to go with this plan. If so, I'll need bluff checks, sense motives, etc. That way I'll be set when the time comes.

"I like your plan Tanzy. Let's hope we will be quick enough to escape before she lauches her goons after us."

Bryon says, “I can make myself invisible at will.”

That will be very handy, Loden nods appreciatively at Bryon's words. Good idea. Speaking of, that makes me think. We shouldn't have the entire group go. As much as I'd love the manpower, I doubt it will go over well with the guild. Bringing in so many strangers may set their hackles up. Obviously Raknesh, Tanzy, and Bryon should go, though Bryon should keep invisible if she can. I imagine Prizzard will be handy too. Now, I think you can only spare one more without reaching suspicion. What do you think? The rest of us could lay low near by, and Rocky can contact us if we need to intervene?

ooc: Basically, pick which NPC you want with you. Loden, Raina, Halek, or Bryon's husband Althol. If Tanzy doesn't have her rolls by tomorrow, I'll roll for her so we can officially get started. :)

Bryon hugged her husband tightly. “Sorry darling, we can’t bring you with us.” Bryon then passed out of sight.

My vote would be for Raina. Prizzard will use some intimidation, but low-key, non-offensive stuff. Confidence, glares, choice of words, etc.

rolled 22,4,31 using d20+6,d20-2,d20+25.  Bluff, Sense Motive, Intimidate.

“If we’re going to do this we need to be extra careful. I imagine these guys can spot a lie pretty easily...” Tanzy wasn’t concerned  with her ability to fit in but she wasn’t so sure about the others. “I think Raina could come in handy for this situation, Tanzy adds with a grin.

OOC: Bluff :21 (9+12)
Sense Motive: 30  (20+10)

I agree.  I know you are more than capable to take care of yourself and deal with whatever might happen, but I don't think it's a place for young ones. And you would not fit with the crowd.