Some of the titles that Omaron's eye are Bellia's Parchments[Private to GM: : This obscure compendium is written in illuminated script and bound in monstrous hide trimmed with bone.], Ederys' Parchments of Necromancy[Private to GM:  :This tome is bound in monstrous hide.], Genesin's Folio[Private to GM: : This folio of parchments is bound by a fine chain. When used in vocation, this tome provides a +1 bonus to checks using mason's tools.], The Prosiusistr Slates[Private to GM: : This impressive tome is bound in leather. When used in divine research, this tome provides a +1 bonus to Intelligence (Relgion) checks.], The Heavenly Codex of Einnar[Private to GM: : This exotic tome is written in blood and bound in monstrous hide trimmed with bone. A seemingly unrelated list of materials has been added near the back of the tome.], The Empyrean Codex of Cairbra[Private to GM: : This obscure book is written upon vellum and bound in leather with bronze hinges and fittings. It is locked by magic, and can be opened only in a mirror.], The Eternal Compendium of Cidoro[Private to GM: : This set of scrolls is contained in an electrum coffer. Several of its pages are cemented together with sulphurous pitch.], The Gili Esoterica[Private to GM: : This eldritch libram is bound in carved wood plates. It is locked by magic, and can be opened only by a maiden's kiss.], The Eodhait Slates[Private to GM: : This libram is bound in leather trimmed with fox fur. A map of the local area, with several landmarks drawn in red ink, has been added in the middle of the tome.], and The Malign Parchments of Menesyll[Private to GM: : This book is bound in monstrous hide. A map of the elemental planes has been added near the back of the tome.].
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 23:51, Tue 31 Jan 2017.

Jor'en flops down in a chair and stretches his legs out, twiddling his thumbs while he waits for the young priest to return.

Walking out from the door that Ruphus went through comes a young woman with premature streaks of gray in her rich brown hair.  She wears a brown robe with gold trim and the symbol of St. Cuthbert around her neck. She closes the door behind her and looks at the two of you, "G'morning gentlemen, I am Jenya Urikas the acting high priest here. Brother Ruphus says you're hear about the missing people, is that correct?"

"Indeed, madam," Omaron says, bowing. He stifles a short cough. "We saw a posting down in a local tavern that directed us here, so here we stand. I am Omaron Stonehamer, and my companion is Jor'en. Does the church have an areawhere we should begin looking for the missing people?"

The head priest nods to the dwarf as she takes out a sheet of paper and hands it to Omaron, in a flowing script it reads :

The locks are key to finding them
Look beyond the curtain, below the gate,
Beware the doors with teeth.
Descend into the malachite 'hold,
Where precious life is bought with gold.
Half a dwarf binds them, but no for long.

"We have the Star of Justice here which can give insight into events every span* or so. I asked 'Where are the children who were abducted from the Lateran Street Orphanage?', and it gave us that riddle."

"We have a pair of campaigners out looking who started yesterday. I am told me they were last scene at the shop of Keygan Ghelve a locksmith by trade, over off Lavender Street in the Merchant District. I would recommend going there. That letter should vouch for you. I told the other group, we would pay 500 gold to see the children back unharmed and that offer extends to you as well."

OOC: *Span is the common term for a week.

A broad smile bloomed on Jor'en's face at the mention of coin.

"Now that's what I wanted to hear, healthy coin for a job well done. Any idea who may be involved? Does the church have other organizations or individuals it feuded with?"

She frowns slightly, "Sadly we do not. We had one of our agents assaulted yesterday by the Last Laugh a local thieves guild, of some influence unfortunately. I can only imagine that they have something on Keygan Ghelve."

"Well, I suppose the first step then would be to talk to this Ghelve," Omaron says, glancing at Jor'en. "Thieves' guilds are notoriously slippery. It's doubtful they would give us the time of day, let alone any indication of their subterfuge. Shall we?" He gestures for Jor'en to lead the way.

Jor'en waited just long enough for his dwarven companion to turn and leave. He gave the priestess a suggestive wink and followed, whistling a lively tune.

Cobble stone streets glisten from the rain. Grey clouds block the sun and keep the port town cool.  After about an hour or so you find yourselves in a nicer district of town, with artisans shop lining the streets. A small turret dominates the facade of this two-story black stone building. Iron bars are embedded in the thick window frames. Beyond the turret's ground-floor windows you can see a lovely display of locks, from large to small, simple to complex. To the left of the turret, above a heavy oak door, swing a simple sign that reads GHELVE'S LOCKS

Omaron walks up to the heavy oak door, and enters the shop.

Jor'en glanced behind them, looking to see if they were being followed. He then followed his dwarven companion inside.

---

08:59, Today: Jor'en rolled 11 using 1d20+4.  Perception.

This storefront smells of wood and pipe smoke. Two padded chairs flank a hearth containing a small yet lively fire. The fireplace's carved mantle bears a tinderbox, a small vase of dried smoking leaves, and a finely wrought collection of pipes. A burgundy strip of carpet leads from the entrance to the wall across from it, where dozens - perhaps hundreds - of keys hang from tiny hooks. The keys come in all shapes and sizes. A handsomely engraved mahogany counter stretches along one wall. Behind it hangs a red curtain that neatly hides the rest of the store.

Behind the counter is a dwarf working on a lock. The dwarf is standing over the counter and appears to be older with salt and pepper hair, a perfectly trimmed mustache and goatee. He looks up as you enter and nods, "How may I help you gentlemen?"

"We are investigating a number of disappearances," Omaron says, casually surveying the shop as he approaches the dwarf. "Certain sources of information have led us to your humble shop. Do you know anything regarding kidnappings in the area?"

OOC:
Persuasion- 17
Insight- 23
Omaron isn't the best people person, and as such is rather blunt, but he means well.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:14, Thu 09 Feb 2017.

The dwarf nods to Omaron, "I see ... do you have something aside from your word? Keygan is guarding something and there is a faint smell of copper in the air...

Jor'en walked casually toward the counter.

"Show him the paper the priestess gave you master dwarf."

As he approached he quickly looked over the counter, suspecting trouble.

---

I'll ready an action to vault over the counter if I see anything untoward.

Looking over the counter Jor'en notes that Keygan as rather LONG legs for a dwarf. Behind the dwarf are two red curtains that are pulled closed, probably a stock room Jor'en's working knowledge of shops tells him. Jo'ren can just see a patch of stone beyond that's darker in color than the stone around it ...

With a single fluid motion Jor'en hurdles the counter. He lands on the other side and makes a dash toward the stain.

"Oh my a stain! Allow me to help you clean that."

While the his physical ability is impressive, Jor'en's ruse is downright terrible.

---

19:56, Today: Jor'en rolled 6 using 1d20+5.  Deception .
19:55, Today: Jor'en rolled 20 using 1d20+4.  Acrobatics.

Omaron pulls the parchment out and lays it on the counter. "The Chirch of Saint Cuthbert sent us here," he says with authority. "You would be best served by aiding in our search. Now, what did you have to tell the first group? Where did they go?"

"The others said they'd save my daughter," Keygan says as Jor'en vault over the counter. The dwarf looks over and shakes his head, "A bit overly dramatic..."

The rogue finds himself in what appears to be a store room. There are curtains partially obscure the window niche that faces the street. The room itself looks tidy, but lived in. Carpets cover the stone floor, and a broom leans against the railing of a wooden staircase leading up to a second floor balcony. Three wooden chests rest in the middle of the floor, their lids bound shut with sturdy iron padlocks. Small tables, shelves, and benches hold various knick-knacks, and a framed portrait of a silver-haired gnome hangs next to a tall wooden box at the base of the stairs.

To Jor'en's left is a rather large circular gear like door approximately four feet in diameter with a series of dwarven runes carved into it. Leaning against the first chest is a foot long slim rectangular rod with the same runes carved along it.

OOC: MAP

Door + rod/key :


Runes:

"Save your daughter?" Omaron repeated. "Save her from what?"

The dwarf slumps onto the counter, obviously not proud of what he's about to day. "Well the reason those kids got taken so quick and quiet without any trace ... well they took my daughter and forced me to make master keys to my locks."

"All of your locks?" Omaron wondered how many potential victims that alloted for. "Who forced you to do this? Do you know where they took your daughter or any of the other victims?"

"I don't know who they are. They're two types in the groups - tall and short ones.

The tall ones look like naked hairless, gender-less humans with blue pupilless eyes and gray skin which changes color to allow them to blend in. They usual come in pairs and always leave here cloaked.

The short ones are sinister halfling like creatures with pallid skin, large noses, and soft black hooves. They are always in black cloaks in cowls."

He points to the gear door beyond the curtains, "They took her and the others to Jzadirune  through the portal there."

OOC: Roll History to see if Omaron knows abotu Jzadirun.
[Private to GM: As though anticipating the question he continues, "Jzadirune was a small enclave inhabited by we dwarfs, but it abandoned when the drow came up from below and took over the area some 75 years go. The drow had developed a magical plague, we called it the Vanishing and it caused people to slowly fade into nothing ..."]

"And is that where the other group from the church went?" Omaron asks, dredging his memory for anything he can remember of Jzaridun.

OOC:
History- 21