0. Prelude

[dmw71]

While the group, assembled together in one of the rented rooms, deliberates its next course of action, a commotion, in the form of loud, commanding voices, is heard from the main room on the floor below.

[Alethan]

Ty frowns, "That doesn't sound good."

He quietly opens the door and steps out into the hallway, moving towards the sound of the commotion. Once he is in range where he can hear everything being said, he stops and listens.

[dmw71]

As soon as Ty opens the door, the disruption downstairs becomes more obvious -- the city guards have been summoned to respond to a complaint of theft. The accused is protesting their innocence, while the accuser maintains their confidence in their accusation. The two bicker loudly while the guards work to maintain peace and determine the truth in the situation.

[tooleychris]

Petra will remain safely behind the others listening intently.

[Alethan]

Ty carefully moves down the stairs, staying to the edges of them to minimize squeaks, to see if he can get a view of who is involved and better hear what theft is being discussed.

[ybn1197]

Athriel follows Ty, staying a couple of steps behind him.

[Das]

Marshal remains in the room taking a moment to open the window to take a look around. For some reason, perhaps just paranoia, he felt that it could be a distraction to get at them. Thankfully they had met in his room so he made sure his goods are close at hand...especially his weapons and tools. He scans the dark street, nearby buildings and listens for things to be obscured by the commotion downstairs.

(Perception please)

[dmw71]

Ty begins to carefully make his way down the stairs, avoiding perceived weakened spots in the staircase that would creak, hoping to get a closer listen, or even a vantage point where he can get a better idea of who is involved in the altercation. The half-elf is followed closely by Athriel and Petra. About half way down the stairs, Ty begins to be able to take in the scene, where two male locals, neither of whom any of you have seen before, are the heated parties. The guards, unable to prove guilt one way or the other escort the accused male outside, despite his many protests.

Marshal remains back in the room, nervously peering outside the window, scanning the street and nearby buildings, listening for things to be obscured by the commotion downstairs. His efforts turn out to be fruitless, but not wasted.

[tooleychris]

"Just a simple argument. " Petra says and goes back up the stairs. She goes to her room, collects Shelly and her pack and heads back down hoping to catch one or more of the guards.

[Alethan]

Ty, on the other hand, begins walking down the rest of the stairs as if nothing has just taken place. He moves to a spot on the bar near the other man who was involved in the argument and looks for an opportunity to casually chat him up. He won't discuss the argument, at least at first. Instead, he focuses on the history of the area, asking about some building or such he noted on their way into the inn. He approaches it from the idea that he is interested in haunted buildings...

[Das]

Marshal came down the stairs also packed and ready to go out for the day. He left a few items back in his room since he had it for another night (See list below). He seemed a bit disgruntled, and went to the bar ordering three dwarven stout brews to drink (-1 Silver, -2 Copper; already deduced from his sheet.). As he drank Marshal spun one of his daggers on the bartop or balanced it tip first on a fingertip. Just keeping to himself...


(Left in Room)
3 Days Rations, Explorer's Outfit.

[ybn1197]

Athriel returns to his room and collects his gear. With everything packed, he returns to the tavern room and sits down next to Marshal and orders a simple fare breakfast.

[dmw71]

"Just a simple argument," Petra says as she turns to head back up the stairs to return to her room. Athriel does the same.

Ty and Marshal continue the descent down the rest of the stairs as if nothing has just taken place, making their way to the bar. Marshal twirls one of his daggers on the bartop as he nurses the first of three dwarven brews he ordered. Instead of following Marshal, Ty takes a seat near the man who made the accusation, whom has been angrily drinking since the incident. The instant Ty attempts to make casual conversation with him, the man snaps. "I'm sssorry," the man slurs. "Ssstill a bit worked up." he admits, referring to his disagreement a moment earlier. "I'ma just finisssh my drink --" he says, raising his glass and chugging the rest of whatever was in his tankard, issuing a loud belch once finished.

"Is time for me to go..." he says, wobbling as he attempts to rise to his feet, before ultimately stumbling to the floor when attempting to take his first step. After a failed attempt to stand, the man begins crawling towards the stairs... just as Athriel and Petra are reaching the bottom of them on the their way to rejoin the Marshal and Ty on the main floor.

---


I don't want to assume how the group will react to the man, whom appears intent on climbing the stairs, presumably to return to his room, so let me what you'd like to do next?

[tooleychris]

Petra will sigh and pulling her pack closer to prevent sticky fingers she takes the mans arm to help him up. "Sometime excessive drink is the best cure for what ails you, sir. Lemme help you to your bed and sleep off the rest. Which room is yours? "

[dmw71]

"Isss right up 'ere," he says, continuing to slur his s's. With Petra's assistance, the man successfully climbs the stairs, and stares with bloodshot eyes down the long hallway. "Thisss isss it." he says as he stumbles past a few doors before stopping in front of one -- the door to Marshal's room!

[tooleychris]

Petra looks at the man dubiously then a smile plays lightly on her lips. She looks to the stairs to insure they're alone.
"Alright..." she says to the drunk. "Thank goodness you remembered the right room."
She opens the door and struggles to get the man inside. She drops him with a huff on the bed and quietly closes the door to the room.
"Let's get you outta those clothes and more comfortable." She says tugging on a boot.
"I might recommend a bath when you wake, good sir." she says waving away the smells of body odor, vomit, and lord knows what else.
" No. No. I won't hear any complaints. " she says pulling his shirt off. "Maybe we can get these washed while you rest."
She unstraps his pants and peels them off by the legs. "Gods but you're a hairy fellow." she says trying to suppress a laugh and gagging from the smell at the same time. "There. Comfortable? Yes. I definitely recommend a dip in the river when you wake...sweet dreams my prince. "
Petra leaves his clothes besides the bed and quietly makes her way back down the stairs. Still hoping to catch the guards from the earlier argument ...she wants to question them about prisoners...and possibly for protection.

[Alethan]

Meanwhile, Ty casually asks the bartender, "What was that racket all about?"

[Das]

(*face palm*)

Marshal just watched the guy stumbling along and snorted. "Hope I never see that man again. Never trust someone who can't hold his liquor."

[dmw71]

Marshal shakes his head as he watches the man stumble to the staircase. "Hope I never see that man again. Never trust someone who can't hold his liquor," he says, working on the last of the three dwarven stouts he ordered earlier, unaware that Petra is busy assisting the man up the stairs... and into the dwarf's bed.

Further down the bar, Ty casually asks the bartender, "What was that racket all about?" The gruff bartender shares that Milton, the drunkard, accused a stranger of stealing from him. "I ain't know if he done it," the barkeep shares, "But Milton is here all the time, and he say it so. Probably took 'em to Arvensoar fer questioning is me guess."

Before long, Petra arrives on the main level, still hoping to catch the guards.


After everyone has had their fill, they have decision to make. What to do?

[Das]

Marshal slipped off his stool and grumbled something about getting some shut eye. He walked with ease up the stairs the three drinks having little impact on him besides alleviating a bit of his anger. When he entered his room he started he dropped his bacpack to the edge of his bed, splashed some water from the water pan in his face and started for the bed.

(Perception check with Darkvision? I think it would be pretty much impossible for me not to spot him in my bed)