| DM | You make your way
through the streets of Darokin. As you pass towards the marketplace you notice
that the crowds are getting thicker.
You make your way among the stalls and see a tall man standing on a disused
barrow. |
| Man | I tell you these
Hallonica vermin are a danger to us. They take our money so that we live in
squalor while they live in luxury. They bribe their way to power and
influence. And now their evil spawn has had an innocent girl killed because
she refused him! How many of you fear for your daughters or your wives?
Destroy their property and you destroy their power. Burn the Hallonica stands!
Burn them! |
| DM | A torch is handed up to
him and he lobs it at a nearby barrow. The awning catches immediately. There
is a large amount of shouting and scuffles have already begun to break out.
You hear the sound of hooves and at least thirty horsemen in the livery of
the Darokin Army come from several directions. The man on the stand jumps into
the crowd at their appearance.
Three horsemen make their way towards the area of greatest disturbance. A
stone flies from within the crowd and catches the lead horseman in the face.
He falls and the other horsemen spur into the crowd. There are screams and
shouting. Several more barrows go up in smoke. You are surrounded by a howling
mob and weapons are being unwrapped wherever you look.
In short, carnage. |
| Leanna | [Bends down and
extracts her dagger, which was never wrapped in the first place, from her
belt, and palms it] |
| Narond | [Jumps on top
of something nearby so he can get above the general crowd level, and attempts
a booming voice]
People... wait, burning Darokin is not the right way. Where will your wives
shop, your children play, and you drink ale if you do so? I urge calm in this
time of trouble! |
| Leanna | [Stifles a
laugh and watches for trouble]
Can you see anything of the bloke from up there? I was thinking that we might
want to chase him, or something. |
| DM | Several people in
Narond's vicinity look slightly sheepish and sidle away.
A nearby barrow bursts into flame. There seemed to be no torch, it just
explodes.
A rock flies out of the shouting mob hitting Narond on the shoulder. He falls
from the barrow he is standing on but sustains no injury. |
| Narond | Ooof. |
| DM | One of the horsemen
seems to have noticed you. He heads towards you, not looking happy. Judging
from the speed he's riding and the short sword in one hand he doesn't seem to
be making a distinction between instigators and calmers. |
| Leanna | Run for it?
|
| Narond | [Gets up and
dusts himself off] Looks like it might be a good idea. Though some people
paid attention, the majority are still... unhappy shall we say. The original
rabble rouser ran off in the direction of the Seventh Street exit. I think
that would be a good place to run in the direction of, that guy could also be
in the pay of those who arranged the tunnels. |
| Leanna | Definitely.
|
| DM | Nearby several members
of the crowd pull down a horseman and begin beating him with sticks. You see
two or three hand to hand fights nearby. A man pushes Berillia out of the way
as he runs clutching merchandise stolen from a nearby stall.
The horseman reaches you and swings at Narond. Fortunately he misses but is
already turning for another strike. |
| Berillia | Let's go!
Now! |
| Narond | [To the
horseman, whilst running away with the others] I was trying to help calm
the crowd, not stir it up! |
| DM | You push and shove your
way through the crowd avoiding the occasional fight. The horseman behind you
is attacked by several men wielding nasty looking pitchforks so he won't be
following you any more.
A thrown torch lights up the barrow next to you, but you avoid it. Judging
from the screams the riot seems to be extending into the surrounding streets.
Eventually you punch your way through to the Seventh Street exit. The road is
much clearer but scattered fights are occuring. You see your quarry entering
an alley about 100 yards in front of you. |
| Narond | There he is.
|
| Berillia | Follow him...
|
| DM | When you reach the alley
you see him disappear into a door near the far end. Two things then attract
your attention.
Down Seventh Street a group of approximately 50 pikemen are moving in
formation towards the marketplace. They are sweeping the people before them
and are likely to reach you in the next few minutes.
Secondly a scream comes from the upstairs window of the house next to you.
From the sound of it, it's a young woman and she sounds very scared. |
| Berillia | Oh
shit.
I don't see how we're going to do much good in a hostage situation (unless
Narond's up for more putting people to sleep?). We could try to get the
cavalry's help... [Appears somewhat at a loss] |
| Leanna | [Nods grimly,
though more in thought than agreement]
I don't think they're going to listen to us though, they seem more interested
in stopping this riot by any means necessary.
We can't afford to lose the guy we're following. Why don't we split up, one
or two people keep watch at the house he's just gone into for the moment and
follow him if he leaves, and the rest of us go and see if we can help this
woman (quickly). Maybe it's just a domestic. Either way, we need to get out of
sight to avoid getting arrested, or worse, by the look of things. |
| Berillia | [Looks at
Leanna] Shall we see what the lady's problem is, while the others go after
Mr Nasty? |
| Leanna | [Grins] OK,
girls together eh?
[To the others] If you don't confront him and he moves on, we'll have
to meet you back at the Stag. |
| Narond | Sounds sensible,
see you back at the stag. [Dashes off in the direction of the felon with
everybody else remaining] |
| DM | [To Leanna and
Berillia] You rush through the door and see a room in disarray. A
staircase leads to the upper levels and you head up, following the sounds from
above.
At the top of the stairs you crash into a room to see two large men and a
young woman. One man is holding the woman in a double arm lock while the other
is trying to rip off her clothes.
The one holding her notices you but his mate hasn't yet. |
| Leanna | [Charges at the
unaware one, aiming to stab him in the back] |
| Berillia | [Runs at
the other one, raising her hammer as if to hit him in the face with it... but
actually reaches out with her other hand and a carefully selected
spell] |
| Leanna | [Begins a girly
warcry at the last minute] |
| DM | The man holding the
struggling girl gets half way through his startled shout when Leanna rams a
dagger through the other assailant so hard that it punches right through to
the other side. The man falls to the floor in a way that suggests he isn't
going to get up again.
Berillia swings her hammer at the man while uttering a devout prayer to
Valerias. Although stunned by the fate of his friend he leans away from the
blow and throws the girl aside. However as he is doing this he turns very pale
and falls to the floor clutching himself in a rather tender area.
His initial cries of pain continue to get louder... and louder.
In a heap on the floor, the girl bursts into tears. |
| Leanna | Whoever said we
wouldn't be any help in a hostage situation? [Grins at Berillia, then
cleans her sword, while watching the man] |
| Berillia | [Tends to
the girl] |
| Coelina | Thank you. I'm
Coelina. |
| DM | She stands up and takes
a few deep breaths.
After a moment she strides forwards and kicks the rolling man hard in the
stomach. |
| Coelina | I'll find some
rope. |
| DM | There is a hammering at
the door downstairs. |
| Leanna | [Looks at
Coelina] I'll go and see who that is, if you like. [Sheathes her sword
and goes to do so] |
| Berillia | [To
Coelina] Do you feel up to telling the watch what we're doing in your
house? I'll keep an eye on this chap if so. |
| Coelina | Thank you.
[Heads downstairs] |
| Leanna | [Returns, with
Coelina in tow] That was one of the pikemen. He says that they will send
someone round to collect the prisoner and the body; in the meantime we are to
stay with Coelina. I suggest that we see if we can secure the door, and tidy
up here; not to mention getting Coelina a drink and maybe a blanket or
something for the shock. I had a quick look outside for the others but they
are out of sight now. The pikemen are going on down the alleyway now so I hope
they're OK.
[Smiles at Coelina] Coelina, do you live here alone? Is there anyone we
can get word to about what's happened? |
| Coelina | My parents are
out at the moment. They should be back by now but then all the shouting
started. |
| Leanna | I'm sure they
will have taken shelter somewhere while the Watch get things under control.
What's your surname, by the way? My name is Leanna Polymnia, and this is
Berillia Ankale. With all the excitement we must've forgotten to introduce
ourselves. |
| DM | You stay in the house
and watch the pikemen work their way up the street. After about half an hour
you see another set of cavalry heading towards the square. From the sounds the
riot is still continuing but seems to be dying down a little.
The pikeman that you spoke to before arrives back at the door. He has a
companion with him, a woman also in militia dress. |
| Man | We've been asked to
look after things here. The trouble is pretty much contained in the market now
so you should be safe heading back to your inn. Thanks again for your help.
|
| Leanna | No problem at
all, officer.
[To Coelina] I'm sure you'll be in safe hands now. It was a pleasure
saving you! [Smiles broadly]
[To Berillia] Back to the inn, then? |
| Berillia | [Nods her
assent] |
| DM | You arrive back at the
Stag and knock on the door. A face checks who you are at the window then lets
you in.
Inside you can see Harry and the other four members of the party. They are at
a table drinking. |
| Narond | You took a while
getting back here, did you manage to save the woman? |
| Leanna | Hi guys. Yeah, we
saved the girl pretty much straight away, and then had to wait with her until
the Watch could relieve us. The wait was interminable! |
| Berillia | Well, it was
until it ended... |
| Leanna | [Winks at
Berillia, and gives Narond a bit of a look] |
| Narond | Yes I am sure it
was, what was the problem anyway? |
| Leanna | Two thugs were
attempting to assault her. I killed one, and Beri... well, she made sure the
other one wasn't going to be doing that sort of thing for a while. |
| Berillia | [Looks
reverent for a moment] |
| Leanna | So what have you
guys been up to? Did you catch the rabble-rouser? |
| Narond | We certainly did,
Harry has him held in a different room out the back. He said he was working
for a group called the Veiled Society. |
| Berillia | The... Veiled
Society? |
| Leanna | Interesting.
So, did your prisoner say anything other than that he was a member of this
Veiled Society, or was that it? |
| Narond | Well he did
mention that they paid him to stir up trouble against Hallonica, and he is
under the impression that they run the show around Darokin City. He was unable
to tell us where his meetings were or how to join the Society. He also seemed
to think that the Society might want to teach him a lesson, especially since
he had been caught and talked to us a bit. |
| Leanna | Thanks. I guess
we wait for Harlon now, unless you want to continue interrogating him in the
meantime? |
| DM | You wait in the inn
until evening has truly set in. The streets seem empty except for the
occasional militiaman.
Eventually, as you finish your meal, the door opens and Harlon strides in. He
looks tired and annoyed. |
| Harlon | Tell me you've
had a better day than I have. |
| Leanna | I think we may
have done, sir. We encountered the men we met yesterday in the tunnels, and
have the leader in captivity here. We also captured the head rabble-rouser
from the market, who says he is working for something called the Veiled
Society, whose aims seem to correlate nicely with the theories we have come up
with in the Poppy Toney case.
Would an ale help your mood, or is that news sufficient? |
| Harlon | That news is more
than a little worrying. I will have that ale. |
| DM | Harry provides and
Harlon sits down. |
| Harlon | The Veiled
Society, as they like to style themselves, are a criminal fraternity based in
Specularum in Karameikos. At least they were until about 5 years ago. Since
then the DDC has heard rumours of them in several countries, including this
one.
In Karameikos, they are violent and dangerous. Here they seemed, until
recently, to be involved more in economic crime. We had no real proof of their
existence but we were fairly sure that it was more than just rumour.
Anyway, in the last few months the occasional reports we have about them seem
to be saying that a more militant brand of Society is emerging. Perhaps the
murder, and the riot, are related to that.
The rabble-rouser you captured told you he worked for the Society? |
| Leanna | Well, he told the
others. Berillia and myself have only just returned from helping a lady in
distress. If you'd like to question the men, Harry has kindly provided a
couple of rooms to keep them in here. |
| Harlon | I'll take them
back with me when I go. I'm amazed that he told you about the Society. They
must be getting careless in their recruitment. I'll talk to him more
thoroughly later. Did he or the others say anything else useful - locations,
meetings, names? |
| Dreylin | No names, but
he did say that they met 'somewhere near the Blue Water Mead Hall, down by the
docks'. |
| Leanna | [Sighs quietly
to herself] |
| Narond | But Dreylin, he
did say that although he may have met the Veiled Society down by the dock,
they did hood him while they took the rabble rouser to the meeting room. He
seemed to be trying to tell us he was only a low level man in the Society.
|
| Harlon | Well well, that
old dive. It's on the northern part of the docks. Did you have any luck with
the wine or the rope? |
| Leanna | The estates are
in Karameikos but are owned by House Mauntea. Aristo said that he would give
you the names of the shipping company or his contact in Karameikos if you were
interested. People having bought the wine were Heranthes, a cobbler who hadn't
bought any recently, Christos, the owner of the Rattlebone - confirmed his
story of being out of stock - Akarios, a shipwright, who bought some last
week, Theodric Angulsta, a merchant from Thyatia who hasn't been seen for some
time, and a minstrel named Seraphim who apparently has rather too much. So,
the most likely suspects from that would appear to be Christos and Akarios -
aha!
[Slaps her forehead in sudden inspiration] A connection to the docks
perhaps?
As for the rope, do you know I'd forgotten we had that. I suppose that might
fit in with the docks as well. Perhaps we could find a ropemaker down there
who might tell us who uses or makes that particular type of rope? |
| Harlon | Hmm, not a bad
plan. I'm afraid that you're going to be very much on your own for now. This
riot is probably going to have the militia tied down for days trying to keep a
lid on things.
In the meantime, how you proceed is your decision. The rope's certainly
interesting, as is the Mead Hall. I'm going to take the prisoners with me to
keep them secure as I'm sure Harry doesn't want to turn his inn into a prison.
If you need to talk to them or me leave a message at the Eastern Gatehouse.
|
| Leanna | Shall we have a
nose around the docks this evening? Maybe if we go to this mead hall we'll be
able to gather some information that we can act on tomorrow? |
| Narond | Sounds like a
sensible idea. |
| Berillia | Let's get
going... |
| Dreylin | So, shall we go
and have a poke around and see if we can find anything interesting going on
near the Blue Water Mead Hall? |
| DM | You bid farewell to
Captain Harlon who collects the prisoners. He instantly recognises the tunnel
diggers as small time crooks but the other man isn't known to him. They leave
under a heavy guard.
After a bite to eat provided by Harry you head down towards the dock area.
It's dark and the streets are relatively empty. Parties of militia prowl
around and look pointedly at a party of your size. They don't seem to be
too interested however and move on when you don't seem to pose a
threat.
Other Darokinians are walking the streets too. The city has an air of
wariness but is certainly more settled than earlier. Occasionally you hear
mention of the marketplace. By all accounts it's still surrounded and people
are being escorted home in small groups.
As you head downhill you reach Wharf Street. Unsurprisingly it opens out onto
the Streel River - wide and slow moving at this point. A huge number of
jetties lean out into the river with boats and men still moving around at this
time of night. Trade on the river doesn't seem to stop for the winter. Across
the river you can see the lights of the lesser city. The bridges are shut and
guarded.
You head north and pass up onto Keel Street. It's still part of the dock
system but seems more reserved for inns, drinking houses and places of
ill-repute (but good reputation) - presumably for the dockside community.
Farther north you can see the walls of the city as they stick out into the
river.
Eventually you see a sign for the Blue Water Mead Hall. It's a large building
and light pours from its many windows. From inside you can hear appallingly
out of tune singing and a sound similar to that of a lute being put to slow
torture. |
| Dreylin | [Looks at the
neighbourhood] So, are we going in, or planning to skulk around in the
shadows and see what passes by? |
| Leanna | I'd say go in...
I'm not too keen on skulking around in these particular shadows. |
| Narond | Something wrong
with these shadows? |
| Leanna | I prefer a...
higher class of shadow myself. |
| Narond | Anyway, going in
would be the best way to further our investigation. |
| Dreylin | Why? The bloke
said they met near the Hall, not in it... |
| Narond | Which is
interesting, since you were the one wanting to go in the building initially...
And why would that be? [Looks vaguely annoyed] |
| Dreylin | Um, no I'm not.
[Looks confused] I simply asked what the plan was... being polite you
might call it. |
| Leanna | Well, I don't see
how we're going to identify anyone without more information. So I was just
thinking that if we go inside, we could maybe ask around about the rope -
maybe Narond could do that, say he's looking for some rope to buy and this is
a sample of the sort he's been looking for: does anyone know where to find a
supplier? Plus we could see if we could find out anything about this Akarios
character, who he deals with, what he looks like, where his office is, that
kind of thing. Once we're forearmed with a bit of knowledge, then we can have
a nose around. Or alternatively, some of us could go in, and some of us not; I
don't have any great preference. |
| DM | You open the door and
make your way into the Blue Water Mead Hall. The main area of the Hall is
large and open with a number of fireplaces at strategic points. The lute
player and his accompanying chorus are gathered in the middle and many of the
occupants of the inn thump their tankards on the table in time to the words.
Words which you realise are surprisingly graphic now that you hear them up
close. |
| Berillia | [Begins to
mentally file the lyrics away somewhere] |
| DM | In total you guess there
are about 30 people inside. A number of serving girls and boys move around the
hall under the watchful eye of a large man who seems to be the innkeeper.
There is a stairway up to the next floor and several curtained doorways around
the room. |
| Barman | [Wanders
up] Don't think I've seen you before? |
| Leanna | [Puts on her
best non-Darokin-country bumpkin accent]
No, we're not from round these parts, squire.
[Grins, and reverts to normal] Well, actually, I am, even if not all my
friends are. Anyway, can we get some drinks?
[To the others] It must be someone else's round - I'm sure I've paid
for the last three or so!
[To the barman] We're actually after some information: firstly, my
friend here [Indicates Narond] is a merchant, and he's looking for a
particular sort of rope; maybe you know who could supply him. I think he's got
a sample of the stuff somewhere. |
| Barman | [Takes the
rope] Hang on a moment. |
| DM | He wanders over to a
dark-haired man sitting at one of the tables and has a short conversation with
him. After a moment he returns. |
| Barman | Yes I thought so.
This is very typical lifting rope, used all over the docks. My friend thinks
it's locally made so I can't think you'll get much trade out of it. Besides he
says it's supplied by the lifting and shipping companies - direct from source.
|
| DM | He seems to be trying
not to smirk. |
| Leanna | [Grins
bashfully] Oh well, I guess we must have been misled. One other thing;
we're looking for a man called Akarios. Can you tell us anything about him,
and how we might find him? |
| Berillia | [Keeps one
ear out for trouble, whilst still registering the incredibly filthy third
verse of "What Shall We Do With The Drunken Merchant?"] |
| Barman | [Looks at you a
bit more sharply] Let me see now. Akarios. Hmm. So difficult to remember
names these days. |
| Leanna | [Reaches for
her purse once more, and jangles a few silvers in her hand] Surely your
memory isn't so bad, after all, you're a barkeep, renowned for being a font of
knowledge. |
| Barman | Am I now? 15
daros and my memory might improve. All right? |
| Leanna | [Chokes on her
drink. Quite literally, with a fair amount of spray]
[Reaches out her hand with some coins inside and hovers it over his]
Five. We've had a bad week, and I've had enough of this mercenary crap. Take
it or leave it. |
| Berillia | And if you
leave it, you're liable to be taking it. |
| Barman | [Raises an
eyebrow] Five it is then. Akarios comes here most nights. He's not in yet
but I imagine he will be later. You can't miss him - he's a big, ginger
Karameikan.
[Takes the money and wanders back to the bar] |
| Leanna | Thanks a lot.
[Turning to the others] OK, well that was rather helpful. Shall we go
and find a table and wait? Shall we approach Akarios, or just hang around and
follow him? And is it worth our while splitting up so as to draw less
attention; especially if the barkeep mentions to Akarios that we were asking
after him when he arrives, it might be best if not all of us were in the bar
at the time. |
| Narond | I like the idea
of splitting up to avoid drawing less attention. I did wonder though whether
we wanted to grab him and quiz him before he entered, or on the way out,
rather than while we are actually in here. |
| Berillia | Are you up to
letting him take a little nap, Narond? |
| Leanna | I was wondering
that too, Narond. I'm a little dubious about just grabbing him for
questioning; admittedly he does sound like our man, what with the red hair and
all, but if he's just going to clam up under questioning and refuse to answer,
we might need to get something a bit more concrete on him. So if we could
follow him and see whether he does anything untoward, or just find out where
he lives and watch for activity there overnight and tomorrow, maybe something
will turn up. |
| Narond | Regarding helping
him sleep, well I won't be able to aid you with my usual flashes of light, I
have exhausted my abilities there for the day. So any sleeping on his count
would have to be done the old fashioned way, with the use of something large
and heavy.
Yes, just grabbing him might well not help us, and we could really do with
him leading us to the meetings of that society. Given the reaction of the
rabble rouser, who was very keen to get out of town after he told us what he
knew about them, they obviously have a reputation for stopping members from
speaking... permanently. |
| Berillia | With that in
mind, should we wait for him outside? He's probably going to know that
someone's after him if he talks to Mr. Deserves-A-Beating over there, and
we're going to be very obvious if he can point us out.
And if we're going to follow him, that's only going to work if one or at most
two of us are doing it. I find it much easier to stomp than tiptoe... Leanna?
Dreylin? |
| Narond | To follow him,
Leanna and Dreylin would probably be a sensible idea, though I do wonder
whether we want a couple of people to remain in here so as to not provoke too
much suspicion should the bartender mention anything to him, and we are not
waiting around. |
| Berillia | [Thinks for
a moment] So if Leanna and Dreylin lurk around in the shadows outside
(sorry, Leanna, even if they are nasty, grubby shadows) whilst the rest of us
sit around and have a drink, the barman can point us out to Akarios. Hopefully
then he'll be more relaxed when he leaves.
If he does decide to come and have words with us, we should try to get
him outside where the others are, to try and capture him.
There's another option for disabling him - I could try to do to him what I
did to Sylvia. But that's likely to draw a lot of attention.
[Muses some more] Maybe it'd work best if Leanna was in here too and
Dreylin did the following (if it comes to that) alone? The barman definitely
saw her and me, but may well not have been looking down, given the number of
people around. So he may not realise that anyone is missing. |
| Dreylin | It would make
more sense if someone came with me, in case there's a need to fetch the rest
of you while still following the guy... |
| Leanna | [Thinks for a
moment] I agree. I'm happy to do that, although I seem to recall that we
previously said it may be obvious that I'm not here having been one of the
people talking to the barman. Three options: We could either take the risk
that he doesn't expect to be followed and doesn't miss those of the party that
aren't here, or we all leave and then he won't know either way, and indeed
won't have seen any of us himself, which might help in future, or obviously
someone else could go with Dreylin instead. |
| Berillia | [Nods]
My point was really that Leanna and I are the ones who've been...
noticeable... in here, so that as long as we stay in here there's a good
chance of him thinking he's not going to be followed if he leaves.
Habib, I reckon you're probably best staying with us. No offence, it's just
that, well, you're about as loud and stompy as it gets, and there's also still
a chance that there'll be some stomping to do in here.
So then, Shianara? Narond? |
| Dreylin | Seems fair
enough, Shianara, you going to join me outside?
[Turns to Narond] No offense, but being quiet isn't usually one of your
specialties. [Winks] |
| Narond | None taken, I
would have suggested someone other than me as well. As you say, being quiet is
not one of my specialities. |
| DM | Dreylin and Shianara go
outside the inn while the rest of you stay inside and find a table.
Over the next few minutes a few people leave the inn and one or two enter.
However none of them match the description of Akarios.
Eventually a serving girl comes past and asks for your order. |
| Leanna | Snacks and
another round of drinks?
[Quietly, to the others] So we can leave quickly if need be...
|
| DM | She provides them and
charges a daro and a few tendrids. The inn is clearly cheap and the ale seems
to bear this out.
You sit and drink while nothing much happens.
An hour has passed since you entered the inn. |
| Leanna | How long are we
going to stick around here? I guess we might as well stay till closing time
and then go back to the Stag if there's nothing else for us to do. |
| DM | Another unusually
illustrative ditty starts up.
You continue to sit at your table.
The door opens and a man walks in. He is short but bulky and has ginger hair
and pale, Karameikan skin. He also walks holding his left arm to his side, as
if it's been injured.
He makes his way towards the bar. |
| Leanna | Just observe him
as subtly as possible for the moment? |
| Narond | [Nods, and
quietly observes while chatting and drinking some more] |
| Berillia | Wonder what
got his arm? |
| Narond | Perhaps those
riots, and what a shame it is as well. [Smiles evilly] |
| DM | The ginger man reaches
the bar and talks for a short while with the barman. During the conversation
he glances in your direction.
He takes a drink and makes his way to a table at the rear of the inn. You
cannot see him clearly through the crowd.
The ginger headed man finishes his drink, stands up and slips through one of
the curtained doors at the back of the inn.
There is still no sign of Dreylin or Shianara. |
| Berillia | Right, so
hopefully they'll be following him in just a moment. Shall we give them a few
minutes?
I'd suggest we leave it a bit in case he's waiting to see if we're following
him - enough time for a drink? - and then head out through another door.
|
| Narond | Do we know where
these curtained doors lead, from internal to external dimensions, could those
doors lead somewhere other than outside? |
| Berillia | Hmm, good
point. [Looks around for other exits, whilst pretending to be trying to get
a better look at the singer] |
| Leanna | And, indeed,
could there be a back entrance that the others aren't covering? |
| Narond | Yes, that had
just occurred to me as well. Not good if they aren't, though I do wonder if
there are rooms above or below, where they could be meeting. |
| DM | Judging from the
external dimensions you saw, the curtained doors lead deeper into the inn and
not outside. |
| Leanna | Should one or two
of us go and have a listen at that curtain, or a look behind it? |
| Berillia | [Finishes
off her drink] You know, if this was a meeting place for this chap and
his, erm, social friends, I'd expect there to be a few more Karameikans around
here.
[Looks around to check how easily the barman can see the
curtain] |
| DM | The curtain is not
particularly clear from the bar and the barman seems to be busy. |
| Leanna | Shall we go and
have a quick investigate? Perhaps two of us should go, and two stay in case a
distraction would be useful? |
| Berillia | [A smile
dawns as she thinks of something] So, if we two go, and the barman should
spot us, he could well think we're nosing about in his business affairs
rather than Akarios's - incidentally, if we're challenged, how about we're
investigating possible non-payment of duties on spirits?
Narond, Habib - if that's alright with you and you're willing to cause a
distraction if necessary... |
| Leanna | Well that would
do, although given our unusual questions earlier he might be a bit suspicious
that that's what we're really after. Especially if he happens to know
something of what Akarios might be about. Best just play it by ear, I think.
|
| Berillia | After you
then... |
| Leanna | [Nods] OK,
I suggest that we wander over to the curtain, have a quick listen from nearby
to see whether there are any voices immediately beyond, and then if not, risk
walking straight through without peeking through the gap first, as if we are
supposed to be going there - rather than looking too suspicious. |
| Berillia | Fine with me.
[Stands up] |
| DM | Leanna and Berillia head
off. |
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