Standing in the hustle and bustle of life in the small town of the Well of Hope. You stand looking at various beings moving from stall to stall. Some stopping to haggle over some bobble or another. A pit of roasting slag where a three armed ant works metal into various objects. A human dressed in leathers is taking to the ant's partner, another human, about an order of something as they pass a page of vellum back and forth. A gorilla struts down the roadway on all fours as a mechanical bee flies around him, it's weapon moving in sweeping motions protecting it's creator.

A piece of paper is in your own hand that you only received this morning from a courier. Looking back at it, you read:

Greetings fellow Seeker!

I am Sleeth Articania, Head Questing Eye of the newest Seeker's Lodge and the only such lodge in the area of the Well of Hope. You have come to my attention as someone who possesses a certain amount of skills and interests that make you an excellent addition to a highly specialized team I'm putting together for a matter of grave import, not only to the Well of Hope, but the the land of Merika as a whole. Please report an hour before non to West On Manor-you will be compensated for your visit, but that reward will pale in light of the wealth that may await you should we come to an agreement on my proposition to you. I look forward to meeting you soon.

Signed Head Questing Eye Articania

Day Vine comes into the area the ideas of clothing still a loss to treeself kind though protective things were important for his work...

He pulls a wagon of tools and a melange of items
The strangest thing is a sword hanging from the”waist” area...

He pauses inspecting the local fare with time to ask around before the meeting...
The sunshine is nice and he is in no hurry to go inside..

Kitty was wide eyed having entered into this place.  She had only left the simple place where she was raised days before with a backpack and 10 of the worlds monetary amount and one outfit that she had on her back.  Still it was a happy time to be alive in her mind.

Kitty makes her way to the location seeking it was pure fate that what had arrived just as she left and was looking for meaning in the world.

Day vine backs against a wall to enjoy the angle of the sun
Any looking closely can see a basic light armor and notes the wagon was being pulled by a prehensile appendage from the armor itself...

Easing against the wall he spreads out and upwards, careful not to bother anyone else...

RG-318 (Repair,General #318) looked around at the town, his first brush with civilization after escaping from the military facility's cryo-vault. The alarm klaxon had told him that he needed to get out of the place before the reactor melted down. That was all of three days ago and he calculated that the place might be safe to visit in one hundred years. For the time being, he only had the few things he was able to get his hands on during the mad rush to escape.

After exiting the vault, as he quickly made his way out, he had came upon the skeleton of a guard. The armor he was wearing had decomposed into a few ceramic plates and not much else. The laser sniper rifle on the other hand did not need much work he found later on. The fresh body that had fallen down a shaft provided the rest of his gear as it had some strange pieces of plastic, food, primitive lock tools and a spiked weapon.

Moving quickly. he at least knew the layout of the place compared to the ones that had broken into it, to their short but glowing life. As he made his way out, a quick check of the weather told him that he needed to travel upwind to the radioactive fallout would not bother him.

The escape was totally different than what he remembered before going into the cryo-vault as he was engineered to repair equipment. When he started to look around, he realized that the place and creatures had changed, rather bizarrely to his eyes. The letter he received from a courier was strange to say the least but it at least gave him a place to start rebuilding the world to what it was. Asking for directions, he turned down the street and headed to West On Manor.

Day Vine finds many trinkets and bobbles for sale. Most mysterious artifacts that the seller either doesn't know what the things used to do, and thus make it up in true fashion, or do know, but they are missing some component or another to keep them from actually working. There are several produce stands hawking fresh meats of dubious origins and fruits and vegetables from local farms north of the town.

Many of the inhabitants of the Well of Hope are glad to give RG-318 directions to the Manor and it is easy enough to find as it is a two story ancient structure that over looks the River north of the Well on a small cliff. From this cliff, the fertile land across the River can be easily seen with small dots of workers milling about tending to the small plants.

Kitty follows the directions that had been given to her by her monk friends. The house is very simple on the outside with a fallen down older building about 100 feet back into an overgrown area. A large open area has been kept clear in front of the manor as a crumbling rusted machine of some unknown type decays quietly to one side.

"'And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.' "

The view from above was familiar, yet Iatros never tired of it.  The breeze flowed over his face and under his wings, and he looked down upon the River leading to the town as it sparkled in the morning light with thankful contentment.

After reciting aloud from memory a brief passage of the ancient book that was his most prized possession, he passed a discerning eye over those below.  Most were familiar, but he also spotted a newcomer here and there.  One in particular caught his eye, as he discerned the slightly hesitant manner of one not only less acquainted with this town, but less acquainted with the world in general... and approaching the same destination as his own.

"Well, Belle, perhaps someone would like some company.  Shall we?"

-=-

With a gentle sound of flapping wings, a large owl swooped in for a graceful landing not far from the wide-eyed female feline, and gave her a kind smile.

"'Peace be unto you.'  I am Iatros.  You seem to be going the same direction as I.  May I join you?"

After enjoying the sun, Day Vine returns to the ground and his form most closely resembles the other bipedal inhabitants...

With a thought the prehensile appendage grabs the cart as he moves to his destination

He analyzes the situation in front of him and fears that perhaps one of the creatures in front of him might eat the other...it was said amongst the plants that our memories were longer and reached deeply into the past...

He eyes each in turn...
“Greetings...”

Kitty was intent on following the note but the way she works is fate leads everything and as is her orders way she follows it almost without question, even when wisdom would advise otherwise.

"Hello!"  She says to Iatros. "If you are heading this way...."  She states showing the paper, "Then by all means you may travel with me."  She says smiling at the being even as another greets them.


"Oh and hi my name is Kitty!"  She says introducing herself.

“You both are familiar in the mythology of my peoples, our times together long ago offers me comfort for reasons I am unable to describe.”

The large owl gives a friendly nod to the feline and the vine as they speak.

"Well met, friend Kitty, and you, friend Day Vine.  It looks like we are heading in the same direction, and company with friends new and old is a pleasure."

He looks momentarily distracted and amused as his feathers ruffle slightly, and the head of a small creature with black fur and a white stripe pops up over his shoulder to gaze upon his companions.

"Ah, I am reminded of my lack of manners.  Let me also introduce my traveling companion, Stinkerbelle.  She must think well of you both to venture a peek so quickly..."

“Iatros!  Yes it is you I smelt your pheromones now, I try not to note such when many are about.”

Although he has a nose, there are nodules that open and close along his body proper....
The same ones where his smoke screen comes from...

The large owl gives some gentle scritches to his companion, and smiles with amusement.

"Better my pheromones than hers, I dare say..."

"So what paths have brought you both to this place at such a time as this, to give me the pleasure of conversing together?"

After a month since he was rudely awaken from his deep sleep, RG-318 was still a bit surprised to hear an animal talk that was not a parrot.  Seeing a plant pushing a cart and an owl having a conversation with a human sized cat that that was bipedal caused him to file it away in his memory as something new and quite unusual.

"Um, excuse me?" RG-318 asked. "Would you by chance be heading to the Seekers?" he asked, having to repeat words sometimes. The words he used were rather archaic compared to the modern usage of the common tongue.

Think someone speaking like Shakespeare nowadays.

"It is really nice to meet all of you."  She says before the pheremone comment comes up, "And I apologise for the pheromones.  I was told they smell and taste like cherry and was how it was designed to be."  Kitty hangs her head momentarily.

When the new person introduces themselves it is a bit of a relief, "I am not sure where we are heading.  I am just following the directions given to me."  To which she offers the piece of paper.

The large owl blinks in momentary confusion before his visage becomes an interesting mix of amusement and regret.

"Eh?  Whoo, no no no, my dear Kitty, I was not referring to you at all.  I was referring to the pheremones from Stinkerbelle, which can be rather... perilous.  Please forgive my lack of clarity."

As the android approaches and queries them, the large owl tilts his head slightly, looking interested.

"Ah, so you both are also 'seeking' the same meeting as I!  Perhaps friend Day Vine as well?"

"Yes, it would seem that we are heading to meet with the Seekers, and I know where we are heading.  Would you care to join us?  I am Iatros, and this is Kitty, and this is Day Vine.  Well met."

“That is true the meeting is of us as well.”

Day vine takes in the new...

“It is not your pheromones nor others it is my own acute sense of smell, I assure you no ones smell offends...”


Note it is the scent ability I have although I am mentioning it as the specific pheromones, which fits with the idea I can tell specific individuals through scent...


The other question is what do androids smell like?      And do they dream of electric sheep?.....
This message was last edited by the player at 14:16, Thu 06 May 2021.

RG-318 pulled out a similar scrap of paper. "Looks like it is from the same writer. As to the pheromones you extrude, if it is a defensive mechanism, bitter almonds might be a better choice." he said

Machine oil, plastic, and a whiff of ozone. Dreams are used to dissect difficult problems, like doing crossword and sudoku puzzles. The flesh needs the rest, not the mind.

"Oh ok!"  Kitty says happy it is not her and returning to the sickeningly sweet upbeat self.

"Shall we go see what this is about?"

"Indeed.  Follow me..."

As they set off, the large owl regards his new companions with interest.

"Where are you all from, and what paths have brought you here today?"

“The summons brought me hence, though I am not yet sure the proposal is enough to draw me from my work...”

As he moves the flexible armor segments are noticeable as much for defense as for spelunking into tunnels and ducts...

"I am sorry if I seem confused by the question.  Do you mean by where are you from literally or recently.  And the path that led me here was that one."  She says literally pointing back to the road that she followed to get here.

“She answers with both her voice and her tail twitching one way and the next...”

He laughs at his own observation the sound like a branch moving in the wind..

That response elicits a look on her face that even makes her look more confused even as her tail does continue to move back and forth.

The chattering outside has summoned the building's occupant as the front door opens wide.  Standing in the doorway is an older member of the sleeth race. Gender is difficult for most beings to know on this reptilian race without both genders being side by side as females tend to be slightly bigger than the males. The groups knows this particular sleeth as Articania, the very person who called them to the Seeker's lodge. "Ahhh!" he says through her mouth full of needle like teeth. "Come in, come in," her reptilian face is naturally frozen in a smile as sleeth are incapable of showing facial expressions. They compensate for this by hand gestures and head movements. Many who have run afoul of the sleeth have reported the unnerving juxtaposition of a smiling lizard swinging blades or firing pistols. The reports of actual violent sleeth are rare though as they are a race that believes in the storage and dissemination of information. Probably the vary reason the Seeker cryptic alliance was started in the first place. Even those handily defeated by the reptiles admit that they provoked the lizardmen in the first place.

She leads the group through a receiving room that has racks of ancient artifacts that are in various states of decay or brokenness with small books under them that contain information about the item above them. Moving into a back room, through an eating area and a simple kitchen which has a door to the outside that a chicken coop, smokehouse, and outhouse can be seen through windows, a large round table is set up with book shelves set against the wall. A desk has been pushed up against a wall blocking most of a large window that points toward the building that has fallen in on itself. There is also a door to the left of the entryway "Pleassssse have a sssseat. I apologizzzze for the delay, asss I must conclude my business with Seeker Azmeren before we meet. In the meantime, though, I thought you could help us with another minor issue. This metal coffer is an ancient puzzle, a cunning feat of engineering known as a paradox box. As you'll see from even a casual investigation, what appear to be seams on the sides are only shallow grooves there's no obvious way to open the thing. Each paradox box has its own secret method of being opened. Essentially, a paradox box substitutes hidden catches and triggers for a lock. Given time, anyone clever enough could figure out how to open a paradox box, just as given time, a locksmith can open any lock. This particular box was among those items recovered by Koriah the scrolls next to the box are her preliminary notes on possible triggers or methods of opening it, but she's not yet had a chance to sit down and properly investigate the thing. So ... why don't you put your heads together and see if you can't do that for me? Even if the box is empty, as I suspect it probably is, knowing the method of opening it makes it a valuable find anyway. I'll return shortly, and I hope to see that box open! Think of this as an audition, if yo u will because the actual task I want to speak to you about soon will require as much wit as it will brawn!"

"To give you the space you need to work, you may enter the other door to this room. It leads down to an open basement with only items unfit for display in the front room. There is also a workbench with a few minor tools to assist you in your work in case you don't have them. Now if you'll take this and head down stairs, I will see you soon."

She jestures to a mechanical box and a rolled up piece of parchment for the group to take.

Do you accept?

"Pleased to meet you mysterious patron, Head Questing Eye Articania. This is Kitty, Dayvine, Iatros, and I am RG-318." he said as way of introduction.

RG-318 smiled and accepted the gifts. "I suspect that cutting it open like the Gordian knot is not a good idea. I hope that we meet your expectations."  he said. "Shall we retire to the work room and see if we can open it? I am sure more of the curtain will be revealed when we open it." he said to the group, before heading to the other room.

In the other room RG-318 put the box down on the table and unrolled the parchment to see what was written.

Picking up the box, Articania answer's RG's question. "If it were that easy. They are very strong against heat to the point that our torches don't even scratch them. How the ancients made them in the first place is unknown even to we Sleeth." A knock can be heard coming from the kitchen area, "Ah, that must be Seeker Koriah returning. Please try to do it without destroying it. I will check in on you in a little bit. Good luck!"

Kitty in response, "Hi!" back to the being.

"I am totally accepting and good to go." She smiles at RG-318.

(OOC - Sorry for short post but this seems to be the day that keeps on giving!)

Iatros takes the box and smiles.

"Whoo whoo!  We shall do our best, thank you!"

While the android examines the parchment, the owl looks over the box with interest, carefully scrutinizing it from every angle...

RPoL Dice Roller:

22:57, Today: Iatros rolled 28 using 1d20+10.  Perception (+1 Rank, +3 Class Skill, +6 Wisdom Mod).

OOC: Whoo whoo!  ;)

The group heads downstairs with RG at the lead. Setting the box down, he begins to read from the scroll. Iatros looks over the box as he does so and finds the same information as has. This seems to be an ancient box that can only be opened in a specific way. Each side look extremely similar with an ancient rune printed on them, an eagle clutching arrows in its feet with outstretched wings. Several odd ancient words also cover this box with Koriah noting that there is a single symbol that is repeated, the word Atlanta. Koriah noted that this was an ancient city far to the south and that this symbol probably has nothing to do with opening it. She also notes that every side is identical except one of them that has the word BRAVES repeated upon that face alone. An annotation says that each letter can be touched and it'll light up for 10 minutes.

Picking up the box 1 and a half foot square box doesn't produce any sounds or shifting of weight as one would expect from a normal box.

Actions?

“Yes I have seen such the combination is the lights in proper sequences.... I meant to build a turning machine with the ability to compress each side.... as it is the best guess is that the combination is 8, 12, or even 16 pushes...anyone else have any other notions?”

Do the sections make noise when lit or just a single light color???

Completely silent, but they hold their light for a few seconds before fading unless you touch another letter.

RG-318 watched as the group looked at the cube. "I think they were a Baseball team in the past but I am not sure." he said. "My first guess on the clue to open it would be "Baseball" typed out to open it but the only way that would work is if the "L" in Atlanta can be keyed." he said, asking for the cube to examine it closer.

16:50, Today: RG-318 rolled 7 using 1d20+4.  K: History?
16:55, Today: RG-318 rolled 19 using 1d20+5.  Perception.

"If I can be of any help please let me know.  I can try to read languages as I have some skill and luck in reading things."  Kitty offers.

16:04, Today: Kitty rolled 19 using 1d20+11.  Linguistics - If allowed to assist.
16:01, Today: Kitty rolled 12 using 1d20+2.  Perception.

Kitty confirms that there's probably a word that is spelled out using the BRAVES letters as she touches each in turn, though the Atlanta rune doesn't light up at all on any face from RG-318's manipulation of the box proves. Maybe some other Knowledges, Linguistic, or just raw thought will help to open this puzzle box.

OCC: The party has two successes. This is basically a skills challenge. For those that don't know, a skill challenge is where you roll various skills to work out a problem. Normally you can't roll the same skill as anther party member just rolled, but I'll have this since this is the first time. You may also roll raw intelligence to see if any thing comes to mind.

“An interesting puzzle this...”

DV stares for some time, though nothing comes to mind...

Kitty tries to see if she can figure it out


19:17, Today: Kitty rolled 21 using 1d20+3.  Raw Intellect.

Kitty begins to tap the letters that light up and figures out that the word is limited in letters. Each letter stays lit for a set time until all are lit up. Once all are lit, they then all turn red and turn off.

OCC: That's 3 successes and 2 failures. You can use any skill you wish so long as you justify it. Day Vine could use his Know skill Iatros could use a psicraft. Just try to justify why you're using the skill and roll.

Kitty having used all the logic she has tries the one thing she is still good at, "Well box.  I don't know what else you want but if you could would you please reveal what you want to us?"

Diplomacy - 24

20:26, Today: Kitty rolled 24 using 1d20+8.  Diplomacy....yes this is pretty much the only other skill she has of use.

The owl continues to peer closely at the device...

RPoL Dice Roller:

22:08, Today: Iatros rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  Use Psionic Device (+1 Rank, +3 Class Skill, +1 Charisma Mod).

OOC: I hope that my Perception - 28 roll was useful as one of the successful skill checks, given that it was relevant and a very high roll... O_o

Looked closer at the box, RG-318 tried to understand the electrical mechanism and its mechanical ability to unlock itself.

08:11, Today: RG-318 rolled 23 using 1d20+8.  craft electronics/mechanical.

“It is basically a computer seeking the right input.”


Today: Day Vine rolled 13 using 1d20+6.  Computer use.

It takes some effort, trial, and error before taping each letter in the correct order. Kitty's pleas seem to do nothing and Iatos notices that there is a slight green light that appears a split second when the right letter is touched. B VERAS seems to be the correct word that RG musses, out loud, must have been the name of the original owner of the box. With an audible hiss, it opens to reveal two large metal balls along with something else in the box, but, before you are all able to focus on what the other item or items might be, the two spheres inside begin making audible whirring noises. Panels slip open, long arms slide out as the whirl of two fan blades begins to be produced. The cubes become two metal beings that resemble humanoid dogs. These tiny machines, about the size of a house cat, have a blade for one hand and a cylinder for the other. Thin legs dangle down as they fly about the room. Red glowing eyes scan about as they move and odd sounds are also produced as they being to slam into the walls and attack the various objects littering the room.

Actions?

bump

RG-318 looked at the flying metal spheres, trying to figure out what they were until he noticed the blades. Figuring they were not play toys he grabbed for a shop cloth to help protect his hands as he reached for one of them.

20:44, Today: RG-318 rolled 6 using 1d20.  grab flying creature.

Kitty too tries to grab one out of the air relying on her hands to be able to do this.

Strike - 11

20:06, Today: Kitty rolled 11 using 1d20+3.  Grabbing flying thing.

Day vine inspects the inside of the box to see if there is a means to bring the spheres back inside....
“Perhaps opening the box was a bad idea...”


Today: Day Vine rolled 21 using 1d20+7.  Identify artifact
This message was last edited by the player at 00:47, Wed 02 June 2021.

The owl joins the vine in scrutinizing the inside of the box, specifically the glimpsed item(s) within...

RPoL Dice Roller:

18:35, Today: Iatros rolled 19 using 1d20+10.  Perception (+1 Rank, +3 Class Skill, +6 Wisdom Mod): Items in Box.
18:35, Today: Iatros rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  Use Psionic Device (+1 Rank, +3 Class Skill, +1 Charisma Mod): If/when needed for item(s) in box.

As Kitty and RG try to grab the little machines, they smell an odd scent coming off of them that causes their minds to feel a little cloudy and dizzy, though it doesn't seem to hamper them much as they now have the two beeping and whirling automatons in their hands. The little robots, each in turn look at their respective capturers, their red eyes focusing on them, and stab out with their tiny blades, but, even at such close range, they are unable to penetrate either Kitty or RG's defenses.

Looking inside the box for some possible clues, all Day Vine sees in the padded box is a well made ancient knife, an envelope, and an oddly thick ring, to determine what the ring does will require another check and opening the envelope to read its contents will, both, take another action. Though Iatros sees the items as well, there's no new information gleaned from the items or the box.

Y'all are up.

05:38, Today: Irradiated Cloud rolled 13,9 using d20,d20+3.  mysterious effect.

05:42, Today: Irradiated Cloud rolled 23 using 1d20+7.  mysterious effect.

05:43, Today: Irradiated Cloud rolled 11,-2,16,-1 using d20+3,d3-4,d20+3,d3-4.  Attack/damage. -2 to hit makes it an 9 and a 14

quote:

Grappled: A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level, see Concentration), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.

A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.

“Iatros if you open the letter I will examine the ring...”


Today: Day Vine rolled 15 using 1d20+7.  Identify artifact .

In reply to Day Vine (msg # 50):

Just to make you aware, I'll take 3 rounds to identify the ring

Kitty unsure what to do with this little thing in her hand, "Ok this think is super cute but it looks like it can actually cause some injury.  Any suggestions other than trying to break it?"  Kitty asks those around as this is not her specialty.

"Please give me just a moment, dear Kitty, and I will see..."

The owl opens the envelope and reads the contents...

Just need RG to post to advance the story.

Day Vine, are you going to continue trying to identify the object or do something else?
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:16, Sun 06 June 2021.

"Maybe we can stuff them into a container and close it until we can know more about them." RG-318 suggested as he looked for something to hold the pair of them, beside the orb they were in.

Day Vine sits down on a stool to start sussing out the object's function while Iatros opens the envelope that was inside. Opening it, there seems to be a small card that has an icon on it of a sylized man with arms outstretched above him and his legs pointed downward. A halo of energy surrounds his right hand. As she looks at it, it lights up and begins speaking in an language you only half understand. Thank you for your asdasdf, the card says, of the Climber's asdfasdff. We at aasdfasdfg wish you asdbaagaasd adfasd fadf. That's all you get in 6 seconds.

Meanwhile Kitty and RG-318 continue to hold on to their little buddies as they look for somewhere to put them. Not really seeing anything that is adiquite, the robots continue to struggle against their captors. The one in Kitty's hands is still unable to find purchase, but the one in RG's hands jabs him for a minimumal damage

RG you take 1 point of non lethal damage.

04:56, Today: Irradiated Cloud, on behalf of Day Vine, rolled 14 using 2d20, dropping the highest dice only.  Maintain Grapple.

04:54, Today: Irradiated Cloud, on behalf of Kitty, rolled 8 using 2d20, dropping the highest dice only.  Maintain Grapple.

04:59, Today: Irradiated Cloud rolled 12,-2 using 1d20+1,d2-4.  Crit confirm/damage.

04:58, Today: Irradiated Cloud rolled 20,-2 using 1d20+1,d2-4.  Attack/damage.

04:58, Today: Irradiated Cloud rolled 3,-2 using 1d20+1,d2-4.  Attack/damage.

Okay, looking at their stats, there's no way they are going to get free, since the maintain grapple is +5 right off the bat and that's their CMD, I'm going to say y'all have pinned these little dudes so that they are not a threat.

The little robots are firmly in the hands of Kitty and RG as the card continues to play and between the images and RG's knowledge base, this is what's called a Climber's Buddy. The metal ring automatically resizes to fit snugly on whatever finger it is placed on. Everyday, so long as the outer part of the ring is spun for 5 minutes, it will reverse gravity when the wearer falls more than 5 feet to the point that they won't take any damage from the fall. You all figure you could sell this, if you wanted to, for about a thousand domars. The knife is a advanced weapon that uses strange alloys that the beings of today haven't figured out how to make. It gives the user a +1 technology bonus to attack and damage, but otherwise functions as a dagger. It could be sold for about 350 domars, but you could give this to a blacksmith and in 1d6 months, the town would be able to make advanced bladed weapons for the party to buy in the future. Yes, you could sell it and get the domars, but giving it away will advance society.

Here's where I'm opening up a little mechanic to advance the village of the Well of Hope. PL4 items can be given to the town to reverse engineer. Generally this takes 1d6 months or the party can help this along with three successful Know (engineering) checks vs the craft DC of the item.

As you are looking over the new items, the sounds of three beings can be heard coming down the stairs into the basement area.

Enter: Arktos, Lord Rabab, Slash, and Woodendale

Kitty with all of this waits to see what the others think to do holding the little robot.  She  does look towards where the new people are coming from.  Although for most part she is completely oblivious.

Perception - 8


20:06, Today: Kitty rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  Perctption.

"Ragggggghhhhhhh!!!!!!"

A huge elephant with a ridiculously huge axe flew into the room, eyes darting angrily and not seeing anything to kill.

Every thing seemed well in hand, so he sheepishly rested his huge form on the weapon, his wings fluttering momentarily before folding into themselves.

He spied the other adventurers, and relaxed a bit, speaking up with a deep baritone.

"Looks like you have everything well in hand then? Nothing worth killing?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:39, Thu 10 June 2021.

After taking care of the little robots by tying heavy wire around it, RG-318 looked over the items that had been found. "This ring and knife can be rather useful and we might be able to reverse engineer them for the community. Let us give it to the community and offer our services to help better understand them. The metallurgy of the knife along will help produce better weapons." he said, going into the details of what he can determine.

With the arrival of the new members to the group, RG introduced himself "I am RG-318, pleased to meet you."

17:00, Today: RG-318 rolled 24 using 1d20+8.  K: Engineering knife.

16:59, Today: RG-318 rolled 18 using 1d20+8.  K: Engineering ring. 

“Indeed, they have everything in hand, err paw as it were……this ring appears to function on a similar principle of an environmental generator, but the microzation would make it difficult, perhaps as a belt?”

"Ah, a sentient statue! Such beings are rare where I come from, RG-318.
It is good to meet one of you."

His voice was booming. Perhaps understandable, given his huge frame, and he gestured wildly when speaking.

I am Lord Obmud, slayer of the skies, doom of the Rhinos, and heir to Rat-Tax-Ice.
"

He tapped his oddly colored oversized axe for that last bit and studied each person briefly in turn. He gave a brief nod, as though he was silently weighing their worth. In truth he had no idea about any of them: he found reading other species body language a minor nightmare. How did you gesticulate properly without wings or a trunk?

May our endeavors make us all fat and prosperous.
Should a threat arise,  you will find my axe ready to defend you.

I'm afraid I can help little with the ring though.
My people are mighty warriors, but we know little of the ancient magics.

He shrugged.

The owl looks up from the items as the newcomers enter, and gives a friendly nod.

"Well met.  I am Iatros.  'Peace be unto you.'"

"Were you also invited here, or are you among those who invited us here?"

"And I am Kitty."  Kitty offers her name as well observing all the new comers with an awe of fascination.  Definitely the way she was raised closeted her against some of the things whe will see by the look on her face.

A life sized weather beaten statue of an elf walks slowly into the room.  In one hand he has a large wooden shield.  In the other nothing.  It a bit hard to work out where his body starts and wooden armor he has on stops.  The paint used on him is faded but a new and strong layer of varnish covers him.

He turns to the others.
Hello, my name is Woodendale.  I am sorry we are late.  There was a little confusion about where we where going.  It seems the old saying an elephant never forgets is not something to be remembered around here.

Woodendale looks sideways at Lord Obmud and shakes his head.

Does anybody need any assistants.

Obmud trumpeted lightly in disdain and laughter. This was clearly not the first barb he'd received from the elf.


"Bah! A pity there are no mutant dogs around to mark you as their territory."

Woodendale eyes up Kitty and Iatros.

Knowing you.  I am sure you will try to get these innocent looking cat and owl to do your dirty work as there are no mutts around to do your bidding.

Day Vine is currently sporting the ring on a finger, still admiring the inertial charger and dampening effect …

“Say now this is something…”

Approaches Woodendale…

“I had taken you as a droid at first glance, but scent tells the tale….”


“You cannot be late, we were never expecting you…”

RG-318's eyes flew open at the comment from Lord Obmud. "You mean there are more of my kind? Where? As far as I can tell I was the only one to escape before the base was destroyed when the reactor decided to imitate a glowing gopher." he said

"Our people have records of yours, but honestly, I didn't pay much attention: they were pretty boring. I much preferred tales of battle, glory, and conquest.. and practicing with my axe even more.

There was one brief time our tribe encountered a speaking metal being. We traded something, but I was a boy at the time.

This would have been the frozen wastes. Oh, about...." He thought about it, pointed one way, and then pointed another, then a third. "Forgot to carry the two".

Finally, he nodded and pointed in a direction he felt was correct.

"I think it would be around 1200 miles that way? Give or take a few hundred miles?
"

"Of course there are more of your kind" the Sleeth known as Articania says as she walks down the stairs to the crowded basement. "There's even tell that there is an entire alliance dedicated to your kind as well as misguided beings that even worship the Created. Oh my!" she says as she sees the little robots that are in the hands of Day Vine and Kitty, "Those are most interesting little things. Hopefully I can figure out how to fix them, because I think they are personal security robots. They are supposed to protect a specific person, so they may think that you lot did something with them. Poor little things," she says in a motherly way. "Did you find anything interesting in the box other than those little guys?"

“Yes to tell the truth, an inertial dampening field in micro…given time I could replicate it larger perhaps as a belt, if you would allow me more time to examine it.”

"The wonders of the Ancients never end," the lizard lady natural smile matching her eyes. "I have a fresh pot of tea brewing and there is something we need to discuss." She walks over to a pile of items and produces a box that the little robots can be placed into and the lid latched. After a few moments, they quiet down, though movement can be heard from within.

Leading the large group up from the basement and back into the meeting room, a whistling kettle can be heard in the next room that she retrieves and pours into whoever wishes to have a cup. Sitting down in her chair she begins with the task. " First, allow me to apologize for that unpleasantness regarding the robots-but it does provide an excellent object lesson. The life of an adventurer is not one for the weak-hearted. That you not only took care of the robots but also got the box open in the first place is all the confirmation I need that my gut was right-you're the perfect group for the job I have in mind."

"You see-I've recently had trouble with one of my informants here in The Well, Natalya Yancaskerkin. She's a mutated hound who recently approached the Pathfinder Society with an offer to serve as a street informant. She runs with the Sczarni-I'm not sure with which group. A week ago, Natalya sent me a cryptic hint that her gang was on the verge of uncovering an item that would be of great interest to the Alliance. Since the Sczarnis' methods of uncovering something often involves an armed robbery or breaking into somebody's personal chambers, we thought it prudent not to press for further details and instead wait to see what it would produce. Suffice it to say, she hinted strongly that it pertained to The Ancients, and promised to meet with me to discuss this find three days ago."

"She never kept that promise-instead, she seems to have simply vanished. Initially, I assumed that the acquisition of this item was simply taking longer than expected, but now I'm hearing rumors that the Sczarni are looking for her as well."

"It seems likely that Natalya has absconded with this item she's discovered. And this is where you enter, my friends. I want to know what it was that Natalya and the Sczarni found. In fact, I'm more interested in that than in what happened to Natalya herself. For now, I 'd like to keep all of this quiet-if you can find out what happened to Natalya without letting a lot of people know she was also working for me as an informant, that would be preferable-that's a big part of why I 'm coming to you, as new members of the Seekers, with this task.
You don't yet have a reputation in The Well, and as such, the lowlifes and criminals you a re likely to encounter may be more likely to talk. "

"So ... go out there and look for Natalya. Find out what happened to her, and to this item she and her gang discovered. If you can secure the item, all the better-bring it back to me and I'll have a reward of 500 domar for you. And if you can bring Natalya back alive for me to speak to, I'll double that!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:43, Sat 17 July 2021.

"Sounds good to me!"

Though it seemed to Obmud that this was going to lean on more social members of the group. At least this time he understood the concept: find the doodad and return it, get the person back and find out if they bailed on the employer.

Day vine looks thoughtful…

“Or the item absconded with her…so many unknowns, if we seek her directly we are likely to draw the attention of the others seeking her.”

Day vine pauses
“Has she family or associates outside of that group?”

Woodendale turns his head towards the lizard lady.
He says in a tone any long dead tree would use.
"So what your saying is you have a friend call Natalya who is spy's for you on a local gang.  You think the gang may have found an item of interest that should not end up in their hands.  Natalya has now gone missing and as nobody ever herd of our group of adventures you like us to investigate what happen to her and if the item is real?"

He nods.
"Anything else is pure co-ejector and anything else is possible to the point that the item could have captured or in-prison Natalya."

It is at this point anyone in the group with any understanding of people would realize that Woodedale is as good at talking to people as rotten peace of timber is at holding up a house.  It also clear he does not understand this is so either.

"Other than the general description of a mutated hound, can you describe her so we can track down the right um, person? Some additional information on the item that we are looking for might help. For all we know it could be a can opener."  RG-318 asked.

Kitty actually just nods as in this case she was literally along for the ride and that ride is what is presented before her.  This is the path and that is the path she will follow.  That and at this point she had nothing to add or ask that had not been already.

The owl listened thoughtfully to the words of their host, and to the various queries of his companions, before adding a query of his own at a suitable moment.

"In addition to information, do you have any other resources that could aid us in our search, such as items to aid tracking or information gathering?"

“Indeed if you have an item of clothing I could recognize her by scent.”

"I don't know much about her before she came to us. She is a tan houndfolk with a white fur on her face, chest and at the tip of a bushy tail. Last time I saw her, she had her tail hair bound by a leather strap in a cross pattern. She had a well made short sword at her hip. Otherwise, I don't know much else. We, the Seekers, are a larger organization and have had run ins with the Sczarni gang and we were hoping to be able to tap into the underworld connections they might have. It's easier to find artifacts and other ancient technologies from those that live under the notice of the guard. That might not be the best course of action, but the underground trade community is a very paranoid bunch which should make sense. Any new technology has the potential to be scooped up by the Archivists, the Speakers, or even the Created, not to mention the Ranks of the Fit, the Knights, and the Iron Society are all looking for more power in their struggles for dominance."

"The Sczarni are a group that have been in the Well of Hope for a very long time. Some say they were hear near the fall, though I found this to be dubious at best. They aren't a bad organization for they do allot of good for the city itself. They police the more dangerous parts of town and are not engaged with the more violent crime. There are six major Sczarni 'clans' in the city: the Creepers, Doolun's Lads, the Gallowed, the Tower Girls, the Washside Wringers, and the Wreckwash Blades, with the Gallowed being the most powerful Sczarni clan."

"Natalya, when she first approached us, had mentioned gaining aid from a created man known as The Amazing Zograthy, I think he lives and works in Dockway near Washer's Row, but the nature of running the Seekers makes it very difficult for me to get out much to know exactly where he is. I've also heard rumors about slavers prowling in the middle of the night, though which of the more extreme alliances is doing this, I don't know. Natalya may also have been picked up by the watch for some minor crime, so you lot could check with the constable at the Arvensoar just in case. Other than this, I don't have much more to tell you, other than good luck."

"Oh! There's a board near the Arvensoar that some people will post notices and job offers, they may give you other clues or even something interesting and profitable to look into while you are looking for her. A few extra domars never hurt and may even net something interesting."

Kitty seeing no one else respond, "If you want how about you select as no one else seems to care to as one way or the other.  If you want send us on one that is random that would work for me as well."  Kitty suggests.

Woodendale adds in.

If we are clever and don't blow our own trumpet like someone usually does.
He looks sideways at Lord obmud.
Then we could keep up the ruse of being independent adventures for some time.  That would help our lady here not just now but in the future.  We may even get wind of something head of time for her.

He puts a elbow on his knee and his chin in his hand.
We really need to come up with a back story.  A reason for our group to be working together.  Something that will mislead others about why we taking jobs on.  Looking for items, earning money.

He looks round at group. Our true goal could be we looking for the fabled Green Forest of Lothlórien and it gold leaved trees.  We need money to research it's location and find hidden law and money to set out on an expedition to find it.  It would make us crazy enough that other groups would just leave us alone.

He removes a very battered book that clearly has pages missing.  On the front you can just about read "Lord Rig and the two owls".
This message was last edited by the player at 12:08, Mon 26 July 2021.

“True we should look without looking while listening to the gossip and noting it as we may.  A map and the book can be convincing enough…”

"That's why the other jobs are a good cover. If you are all working for another Alliance, it would be easier to cover your tracks back to here."

OCC: So, off to Arvensoar to check for Natalya and pick up odd jobs?

"Ha, as if the giant, ill-mannered tree wasn't just as obvious.

You won't even have to open your foul mouth to scare away children, the sight of your form alone will do it.

Truly, your bark is worse than your bite."

He said cheerily, with a wink, as though that joke had been clever. It may have been among his people. Or perhaps Obmud was just fond of forcing in terrible puns.

"I'll also admit, the idea of doing some odd jobs and being paid twice for our services has a certain appeal to my coin purse.

Flying around and killing all our foes takes energy and food, you know!"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:25, Sun 01 Aug 2021.

Woodendale answer Lord Obmund.

It is unclear if my bark is worse than my bite.
As all my bark was removed by my creator and I have never been foolish enough to try to bit anybody or any thing.  I think no judgement can be made on the mater.

The Tree smiles.

"That sounds acceptable to me.  I am just not familiar yet with how it fully works the currency thing and all that.  Still if we need it especially since I do like eating.  I actually love eating.  Almost as much as I like sleep."  Kitty says looking around.

“Cover is good for having a reason to be where one is.  Perhaps a repair job of some sort?”

"It might be better if our story has a grain of truth to it. Is there anything in the town that needs repairs and not just associated with the Seekers? Maybe we are trying to find parts for it and are traveling together for safety." RG-318 said

“Truth is I want to upscale this ring.  I could put it on my wagon and not have it ever fall into a heap…so that’s true…”

With the party deciding to "kill two birds with one stone" you collectively say your goodbyes to Articania. The walk is about a half hour allowing the party to look at the ramshackle homes that have been built from old buildings, tree branches, and various fabrics producing a kaleidoscope of colors and textures. Dirty children of various genotypes run through the area as their parents are out working their respective jobs or collecting supplies to eat or use.

Everyone carries a weapon of some sort, but mostly it's only handheld weapons. Even the children have either a small dagger or club further punctuating the danger that lurks just outside. Random beings move along the path as a single child of about 7 is pulling apart some ancient lump, searching for something either to sell or repurpose for their parents.

After coming out of the Shambles, mostly clean streets abruptly begin though some children are still about playing. A low constant drone of noise can be heard to the south marking the merchant's area, though this area isn't completely silent, it's just easy to hear when there is a pause.

The way twist between both new and old construction until a large building comes into view. Mostly brick, it has stood against the elements for as long as anyone remembers. The Sleeth say it used to be a hospital, but it is now the cultural and governmental center of the Well of Hope - The Arvensoar. Several guards mill about keeping their collective eyes on the passersby. To one side as a low wooden wall that has been erected to post job offers, calls for recruits, or anything else people are searching for.

Which do y'all which to do first? The "job's board" or check with the Captain of the Guard?

Day Vine makes his way to the boards first to see what is posted and to make sure no secret messages are in plain sight
….
“Announcements…”

Not sure is there a press or paper to check for information or not?

Time: Midmorning
Weather: Getting warm with light clouds.

OCC: You could make a Gather Information attempt. You could either roll a Perception, Linguistics, or Diplomacy check to find anything that might be hard to find or secretive information.

A cursory glance at all the scraps of fluttering paper shows many listings for guards and lost people. There's even a poorly spelled and drawn notice, obviously from some child, looking for a lost toy. Wanted posters are also up describing various individuals for all kinds of crimes, though noticeably few murderers are up on the wall. Every Cryptic Alliance has a call for members up, even the Created, though few of their kind can be found normally. Each one also has various objects or information they are interested in, like the Speakers are always looking for ancient thinking machines, the Ranks of the Fit offer up a weekly fight for all mutant animals, The Knights have an offer to hunt down a beast to the north that has been eating livestock, and the Healers give descriptions of various herbs, animal parts, and technology that they would be interested in purchasing. There is a notice that a minor lord is looking for any ancient markings that could be drawn and located for him. For each one found and brought to him, along with directions as to the location they were found, he'll pay 500 domars. This one stands out because it looks newer than all the other notices and is written in a very practiced hand.

I do aiding a little different. Everyone who wants to help look can roll and I'll take the highest result. Those that at least get 10 will add to the highest total. Don't forget to remind me of any special abilities you might have. You can take 10 or 20 if you all would like, but that would take a fair amount of time (1 hour, 2 hours respectively).

Lord Obmud's addressed the group.


"I'll do some scouting from above. I find that no one likes to talk to the elephant in the room. I think it's some kind of old human tradition. Apparently, I'm a little LOUD." He boomed.

"I'll scout the town from above. SKYWARD HO!!!!!"

Obmud took to the air with his preposterous, physics mocking wings and began getting the lay of the land.

He'd made comments about how most of the people looked like ants to him, but honestly, most people were pretty small compared to him anyway.



10:18, Today: Lord Obmud rolled 14 using 1d20 ((14)). Perception as he's flying above.

This message was last edited by the player at 18:05, Sat 14 Aug 2021.

"If yall want I will do some talking about as that might be fun."  Kitty says as she moves off and works the crowd talking where needed and finding info.

Diplomacy - 26(32) (+2 if attracted, +4 from Pheromones)

12:01, Today: Kitty rolled 26 using 1d20+7.  Diplomach.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:26, Sat 14 Aug 2021.

Woodendale watches with an odd level of bemusement and understand equal to a wooden door.

OOC:
19:50, Today: Woodendale rolled 10 using 1d20+2.  Perception.

Day Vine takes a careful look around the area to see who or what is happening

Day Vine rolled 19 using 1d20+7.  Perception

“Fear not Wood Dale, we will find work.”

Woodendale looks thoughtfully at Vine.
Fear.  He says.  Is something I am not capable of.

Lord Obmud spreads his wings wide and launches his considerable bulk into the air. Several people scatter at the sudden movement, but calm down after a few moments when no attack happens. In the air, and far from the posting wall, the mutated animal can see the stretch of civilization. It is dirty and constantly moving, but there is little to see of detail. Going that far up, he's able to see the surrounding countryside. The northern farms are large squares in varying hues of brown or green dependant on the plant matter grown there. The Appom River snakes between the city proper and the farms, drawing a stark line between the two. The water comes in from the west and runs out towards a sea that is many miles away. This sea is rumored to have all manner of sea monsters, though only the random sea crew that makes the trek up the river have actually seen it. Looking to the South West, he sees the area known as Ortee and a pair of overing metal monstrosities reflect light back over the surrounding area. To the east, he can just see the 10 road moving from the city and out into the foreboding wilderness. I only stretches for about a mile or so before being swallowed up between the wooded low area.

Woodendale, tries, but there's just to much going on for the tree to gain anything new.

Day Vine overhears three guards discussing a child that is lost, possibly one of the guard's, but that's hard to determine without directly speaking to them, mention a rumor about slavers possibly in an abandoned tavern near the docks, but they didn't see anything when it was investigated just last night. The guard wants to watch the building for a few days, but the other two aren't sure if this is a good idea as she would have to do it alone, but, given another rumor that there's going to be a trade tonight at midnight, this could be risky.

Kitty, however, is very successful and gets several offers, both carnal and employment wise. She actually runs into a very helpful guard that is willing to confirm that Natalya is not in the prison and will answer questions if they wish to ask.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:29, Sat 21 Aug 2021.

Woodendale listens to what the others say.  Making some observation of what is happening.
I have notice most creatures seem to like soft balls of fur than a good peace of solid hardwood.  Such is the world today.
However if that the case may I suggest if we going to do something about the inn.  I understand someone dumped an old wooden statue outside it.  A solid peace of wood nobody wanted.

He looked sideways at Lord Obmud.
I am sure you would love to dump an old wooden statue on the ground outside the inn.

“No worries Woody.  Both have purpose and work together to accomplish much……sounds like I may have heard too much whilst ignoring the wind blowing from yourself.     Perhaps we should regroup and compare notes, perhaps seeking cover from our flying friend.”

With all the offers Kitty is not sure what to do although she avoids or leaves the carnal ones.  Well at least the carnal ones she recognizes.  There are multiple offers that went clearly over her head.

Kitty lets the others ask the guard the questions as she is not entirely sure herself what she should ask.  She does note the rest seem to be quiet though so lets Day and Wood take the lead.

Day moves back from the guards a bit seeing kitty approach he turns as she comes forward…

He scans the sky for the others hoping the birds eye views will give them something so they can compare notes

“Warm balls of fur can be nice you know…”

Shortly thereafter, Lord Obmud returned: they were not easy to miss from the sky.

"I looked around, nothing terribly obvious from up there, though I did get a nice view of the city and the general layout.

Plus, it's good to stretch your wings once in a while!"

He gave a dramatic flap, sending some dust flying.

"Any luck on your end, my smaller friendly friends? Or Woodendale?"

“I overheard the three guards discussing a lost child possibly related to one of the guard's, and a rumor about slavers possibly in an abandoned tavern near the docks, investigated last night, found nothing but they wants to watch the building for a few days, but the other two aren't sure if this is a good idea to do so alone.  She could be putting herself in danger as well.   Last risky rumor that there's going to be a trade tonight at midnight.”

Woodendale puts his head into his hands.
Now I know how El Rund.  Lord of Rivet-pale felt.

The Tree thinks for a moment.  Then lifted his head up.

He turns to Kitty.
Kitty could you ask your guard friend a few things.
Ask him if one off the other guards child has gone missing.  How long has the child been missing and how old him or her is.
If you could find a name for the child that would help.
Also ask your friend about the slavers.  See if he can give you some directions to the abandoned tavern.  Get a name for your guard friend and one for the guard that wants to stake out the tavern.  Also if the gang of slavers have a name.  How many slavers and slaves there are.  Also if he has any idea who maybe buying the slaves  Having some idea about these things will be helpful I feel.
Kitty you may not get a clear answer but getting an idea is still helpful.


OOC:
Woodendale has a good Int and Wis so this would not be beyond him to work out.

Kitty with the guard there and seeing Woodendale ask questions turns to the guard and almost in amusement, "I ask all those."  She says not wanting to repeat them seeing they were so eloquently stated.

If it is a language barrier though she will repeat all the questions that had been stated.

Walking back to the one female guard, a normal looking female human named Kasadei, Kitty starts with her questions.

"No, but as I have children of my own, I feel terrible that another little one is gone. Children disappear all the time and for various reasons. Three just last week were mauled by a pack of Ark," Ark are a race of houndfolk who stand larger than most geneotypes. Though knowing more will require a Knowledge (Local) check. "so it's not unusual for children to disappear. Most have actually been found, or at least what's left of them." She grimaces at the last part, "I know that if she, the child, a hawkoid named Reekana, is about 10 years of age, were one of my children, I'd want her found. We, the guard, don't believe that the rumors of slavers is correct given most missing children have been found, though one can never be completely sure. If it were slavers, only the Zoopremists would be an obvious culprit because the Ranks of the Fit recruit willing animaloids while the Knights of Genetic Purity's standards, such as they are, are above kidnapping."

"What's odd about the disappearances though is that most we've found alive and have had no recollection of what happened to them before and during their disappearances. These people have been fully grown and gainfully employed adults. They were all gone for days or even weeks and then suddenly found in the slums. The Lord Guard  has determined since they weren't actually harmed, that there's not much they can really do about it as we have more pressing problems to deal with."

"The inn was called the Puffy Pelican before it was abandoned. It sits on the other side of the docks from here and you can't miss the old sign. It looks like someone had been living in it currently, and given its closeness to Reekana dwelling place, I wanted to watch it just to be sure she wasn't just hiding out there. My other guardsmen think she'll just show up like the others, but I just want to be sure. If you're willing to watch it for us, I would like to go with you. It wouldn't be an official watch duty, but I could at least be a credible witness on the off chance there is something going on."

(OOC - Swamped Monday but don't want to hold up others)


If it is not heard, Kitty will share all the information with the others.

“We would like to help.  The building likely holds some answers so we will check it out.  I am an explorer so perhaps tunnels exist beneath…”

Mostly staying in the background as he had no idea where he was, RG-318 listened as the group talked about the child. "You can not go wrong by rescuing a child and not ask for any reward. They will think highly of you for doing it out of the goodness of your heart rather than for profit." he suggested.

At the mention of the tavern, he nodded in agreement at checking the place out. "Can you tell us what buildings are near the area so we might have some cover to not announce our presence?" he asked Kasadei, trying to find a good location to cover the rest of the group in case any shooting starts.


21:04, Today: RG-318 rolled 23 using 1d20+3.  Stealth (Sniper location).
21:04, Today: RG-318 rolled 19 using 1d20+5.  perception (Good sniper location).
This message was last edited by the player at 01:10, Fri 10 Sept 2021.

(OOC - Sadly no knowledge in that)

"I completely agree that I would like to go for the child.  The reward would be the rescue or if there is monetary amount maybe donating it to worthy cause."  Kitty says in agreement with RG-318.  She looks around to see if any one else has input in this regards.

He stroked what served as his chin as he attempted to think long-term: it wasn't really his strength.


"Well, normally, I do prefer to get paid. Most innkeepers aren't prone to give out free food, ale and lodging to those who do good deeds.

But we'll probably get paid on the back end and we're not at the starving point, so sure, let's go be heroes for a day."

“On the plus side anything else we find could be of value…”

Guardsman Kasadei nods and says, "The inn has some warehouses that have very few workers inside them. That's probably why the inn failed as fewer and fewer workers were needed to build and then protect the warehouses, there was less need for a place to stay in the area as they would finish their own places of dwelling." She thinks, putting a hand on her hip, "They mostly house timber that is then worked through in the winter time," you all know that the winter is only about a month gone at this point, "but most are empty or close to empty right now as the lumber is currently being cut to be sent down the river here. It should be mostly empty of workers at this point, though not completely. I haven't been in the inn myself, but it has very few windows, so the view from outside might be hindered. If anyone is inside, we will have to enter it, I'm afraid, to find out. When we watched it yesterday, we didn't go inside, just watched to see if anyone came in or left, but nothing at that time."

As this just around high noon time, you all have several hours to wait till midnight. Do you want follow up on any of the other leads?

I can't think of anything, not much useful from the air. Obmud will help you with anything you want to do.

Woodendale then add in.
If we clear the inn we could then make it our base.  I am sure some of us have skills we can trade for coin with local population.  I know I do.  Open up the food and drinks.  We will not need make a profit from inn itself as our adventuring would do that.  But to have a safe base.  It would be good.

Day Vine thought about his friends and thought more rumors might be heard over lunch
Though he himself did not eat in that fashion

“Perhaps lunch? We can listen more perhaps others have pieces of information that fit the puzzle….”

Just a reminder, you could ask about Natalya as your right at the prison and swing by The Amazing Zograthy to see if they might know something. You all have plenty of time to do both. It only matters which one you want to do first.

“The amazing place might be good…..can’t wait to be disappointed.”