Chapter 3: The Lord's House

[Sapperzz]

Saal seems to fume and he postures boisterously towards Fiemar.

In Low Lankhmarese:

"I did not come here to steal, and so the label you give me is slanderous indeed! You preach of fate, but the more you speak the more I foresee a dagger sticking out of your back!"

To Shmek, in Kvarich:

"It is as though all who are of the northern descent have no sense about them! That other one must have concussed himself earlier, for his actions are nonsensical and dangerous. It is good to meet another of the eight-cities. You are well met. I am Saal, what is your name friend?"

[Marullus]

Fiemar and the owl fly around to inspect any rooms that do not have closed doors.

Sounds like all doors are closed and all we can see are the hallways, dining room, and study, without opening a door?
Does it look like we could slide under any of the doors, or are the jams tight?
When I fly around the study, do I see anything promising?
Luck check [1d20] = 6

[drpete]

The study

Rows of bookcases line the walls of this dusty chamber, most bare and forlorn, but a few hold papers and rolled parchment. A grimy divan leaking straw from its bedraggled cushions is placed beneath the shuttered windows in the north wall. A large plain hearth is set into the east wall. A rug covers the floor, its thick dust coating making it impossible to tell its original color.

From the air, flying around the room, it's hard to see much, but you think you see a glint of gold in the divan cushions.

For scale, the book shelves are about 80 feet tall.

There is space under the closed doors on the second floor, though you would have to lie down/ crawl.

[Wintermute]

Hlalf replies to Shmehk in his native tongue:

Yes, I speak the only words worth speaking.

[Marullus]

Completing his circling of the house, Fiemar returns once more. After the introductions complete he relays all he saw to inform the planning discussion.

The owl rests with a taloned foot on the set of tools. He suggests that when delivering the tools upstairs he could try to hit the cat, then smiles.

[drpete]

Does Fiemar want to explore the front of the ground floor? (down the hallway?)

[Marullus]

oh. Yes. Everywhere without doors.

[drpete]

An open doorway from the front of the study leads back to the hallway, this time by the front door. From there, you can fly across the hallway through an archway into the kitchen.

Immediately to the right, under the stairs, you see a closed trapdoor set into the floor. Wooden tables covered with dust and dangling cobwebs line the walls of this stone-floored room. High shelves hold ceramic jars and tin boxes, likewise covered in dust and old webs. There is a large fireplace in the corner.

A closed door leads north from the kitchen.

[drpete]

As Fiemar wanders around downstairs, what is the rest of the group doing?

[Sapperzz]

Saal spies the roguish looking Raamiz, and speaks in Thieve's Cant to him:

"Are you a part of the guild ranks, or do you run jobs by yourself?"

[Enoch]

Raamiz pats the silvered hilt of a dagger sheathed at his waist as he watches Saal warily. He responds in the same tongue in a high, boyish tone.

Thieves' Cant:

"Would I have this blade if I did not? I am Raamiz al-Ghattas, sometimes known as Raamiz al-Akktah, of Horborixen. But I do not believe I have your name."

[Sapperzz]

In Thieve's Cant:

"My name is Saal Quarth'ron, of the Eight-Cities. it is good to meet you fellow guildsman. If things go South, I suggest we and the other Forrester stick together, I am not overly fond of the northmen in our company."

Saal, seems to ponder a moment, then asks:

"Your tone is pitched, is this some clever ruse, or do you truly speak this way?"

[Enoch]

Raamiz replies in Thieves' Cant as well.

"It is hard to know who to trust, truly. My voice...well. Let us say it is an artifact of my childhood. I served in the palace of the King of Kings, and he had certain...preferences...for his servants."

He pauses for a moment, then nods toward Shmeck.

"I can vouch for this Forester, certainly. Though I have not known him long, he has proven himself resourceful with both spell and sword, and has saved my life more than once."

[shaidar]

Shmehk

Hlalf replies to Shmehk in his native tongue:

Yes, I speak the only words worth speaking.

Shemhk smiles and replies in North Speak

"Well, your strong arm is most welcome, friend"

Saal seems to fume and he postures boisterously towards Fiemar.

To Shmek, in Kvarich:

"It is as though all who are of the northern descent have no sense about them! That other one must have concussed himself earlier, for his actions are nonsensical and dangerous. It is good to meet another of the eight-cities. You are well met. I am Saal, what is your name friend?"

Shmehk replies in Kvarich

"I am Shmehk of Gnamph Nar, wizard by profession. These northmen do seem arrogant and forceful, but that tends to be thier nature, I find"

He switches to Low Lanhkmarese and addresses all on the landing

"We need to consider how to get past that cat, and how we can get that door open, I wonder if there is anything in these rooms we can plunder to make some kind of torches."

[Marullus]

Man, all the spoilers are making me miss things. Can we agree to speak Low Lankmarese (and maybe Coldspeak) in the open, and manage from there?

Completing his circling of the house, Fiemar returns once more. After the introductions complete he relays all he saw to inform the planning discussion - the cat in the dark, the study, the kitchen and its trapdoor, the closed doors on the second floor.

The owl rests with a taloned foot on the set of tools. He suggests that when delivering the tools upstairs he could try to hit the cat, then smiles.

Saal seems to fume and he postures boisterously towards Fiemar.
In Low Lankhmarese:"I did not come here to steal, and so the label you give me is slanderous indeed! You preach of fate, but the more you speak the more I foresee a dagger sticking out of your back!"

A red flush crawls up his face as the unnamed thief threatens to murder him, in direct violation of the oath he had just given as a condition of passage upon the owl. His lips are tight and his knuckles clenched. He fixes the black-clad burglar with a steely stare, unflinching, but giving no other response, daring the man to say more.

[shaidar]

Shmehk steps in between the two and addresses them in Low Lankhnarese

"Come now, if you are going to kill each other at least wait until we have escaped this place. We are in a dangerous predicament, and tensions are high. Harsh words have been said, on both sides, that I'm sure were not meant" he looks from Saal to Fiemar

[Sapperzz]

Saal grins devilishly at Fiemar's reaction, speaking in low Lankhmarese:

"That tool should do quite well in both disabling the lock, and the cat. Our companion Raamiz should be able to aid me in unlocking the metal door. He seems quick of wit and quite dextrous."

He turns to the group:

"If we are all prepared, I would be happy to apply my trade upon the door. What say you, Fiemar? Is your bird capable of carrying us all, or shall we go a few at a time?"

[Marullus]

Fiemar relents as Shmehk intercedes, letting the tension go out of his hands and face. Even still, he rotates the owl upon which he sits to ensure Saal is squarely in front of them both.

"If we are all prepared, I would be happy to apply my trade upon the door.

"My apologies," interjects Fiemar in Low Lankhmarese. "What trade is that again?"

"What say you, Fiemar? Is your bird capable of carrying us all, or shall we go a few at a time?"

"I would not risk it. I suggest three and then two; with the three being able to hold their own until reinforced, should the cat attack. Who would volunteer?" He pauses, "Or, we can harry the cat that it flees its landing, in which case those down here could collectively be prepared for ambush?"

[shaidar]

Shmehk

(Low Lankhmarese)
"We will be at a disadvantage on the top landing, due to the darkness. Harassing the cat into an ambush is an interesting idea, if we can ensure that it's route will bring it to us. I have a spell that might be able to entangle it, if the casting goes well. I could take measures to increase the chances of success although it would weaken me for later fights. Truthfully, I'm not sure how successful the spell would be with our shrunken size and against such a target."

[Enoch]

Raamiz ponders this a moment before replying in the same tongue. "I wonder if it would be possible to being up one of those traps from downstairs. While it wouldn't kill the cat, it just might drive it off if we led the cat into it."