Chapter 7: The Lurking Terror

[Grognardsw]

That was really funny.

[Inferno]

That was funny.
If Bertram Beswill is Elmer Fudd, and Hoom is Bugs Bunny, does Mouser's failure to cast mean that he's Daffy Duck?

Day Six.
Village of Briarsgate, The Inn of the Slumbering Serpent (25).
Between midnight and 1am, Friday, October 21st, 576 CY.
Full moon, partly cloudy, damp, cold, misty.





In the Inn of the Slumbering Serpent, Mouser fails to weave his magicks.

The two thieves ignore the silent beckoning of the soft beds and quietly creep out into the dark, tight hallway of the decrepit inn.

inn hallway.jpg (167.04 KiB) Viewed 5281 times

They softly pad across the blood red carpet and stop at the door of the mysterious guest known as Baltus. Hoom listens at the door and hears nothing.

The old inn is as dark and quiet as the grave.


Actions?

Map:

Inn of the Slumbering Serpent 5.jpg (391.52 KiB) Viewed 5281 times

One square = 5 feet.





Status:

• Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 5, HP 10/10, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl
  Hoom Feethos, Elven Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 3, HP 7/8, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl

Resources:

• Map of Briarsgate
  NPC List for Briarsgate
  The Story So Far (in words)
  The Story So Far (in pictures)

[DadsAngry]

Hoom Feethos:

Hoom points to his ear he used to listen at the door. With the same hand he reshapes it into a closed fist with the thumb up. He takes a step back and with the swinging of his arm he kindly gestures for Mouser to go first.

[Grognardsw]

If there is a keyhole, Grey Mouser looks through it.

[Inferno]

Mouser peers into the dark keyhole and sees no light in the room beyond.

[Grognardsw]

Mouser peers into the dark keyhole and sees no light in the room beyond.

And no heat from a body?

If he makes out no body by heat, Mouser gently knocks on the door.

[Inferno]

He doesn't see the heat of a body. But his view through the keyhole is narrow, and he's certain he's not seeing the entire dark room.
Still knock?

[Grognardsw]

Mouser gently knocks on the door while looking through the keyhole.

[Inferno]

Day Six.
Village of Briarsgate, The Inn of the Slumbering Serpent (25).
Between midnight and 1am, Friday, October 21st, 576 CY.
Full moon, partly cloudy, damp, cold, misty.





As Hoom watches, Mouser softly knocks on Baltus' door as he spies through its keyhole.

Suddenly, Mouser sees...


To be continued!

I'm going on vacation. Back in about ten days. See you then.

[Inferno]

Day Six.
Village of Briarsgate, The Inn of the Slumbering Serpent (25).
Between midnight and 1am, Friday, October 21st, 576 CY.
Full moon, partly cloudy, damp, cold, misty.





In the dark, midnight silence of the decrepit Inn of the Slumbering Serpent, Hoom watches Mouser softly knock on Baltus' door and spy through its keyhole.



Mouser sees a warm body come into view from the right, and slowly approach until it completely blots out his vision.

"Who is it?" rasps a tremulous male voice through the door.


Actions?

Map:

Inn of the Slumbering Serpent 6.jpg (448.79 KiB) Viewed 5243 times

One square = 5 feet.





Status:

• Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 5, HP 10/10, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl
  Hoom Feethos, Elven Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 3, HP 7/8, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl

Resources:

• Map of Briarsgate
  NPC List for Briarsgate
  The Story So Far (in words)
  The Story So Far (in pictures)

[Grognardsw]

Grey Mouser silently nods and looks expectantly at Hoom to respond.

[DadsAngry]

Hoom Feethos:

"Ah Mr. Baltus sir, it's the two gentlemen who rudely interrupted your rest just a moment ago at our entrance to this establishment. Once again we apologies for waking you but we couldn't sleep knowing we have done you wrong and wish to make amends if you'll let us. Could we speak in person please." Hoom hold up an open palm to Mouser in a stopping motion, hoping this gesture will be understood. Hoom wishes to quell any violent act that might have crossed the rogues mind once the door was to be opened. He strongly believes that Mr. Baltus is innocent and is hoping that Mouser will allow the conversation to continue without the need for conflict. He still longs for the warm soft bed waiting for him in his room.

[Inferno]

Day Six.
Village of Briarsgate, The Inn of the Slumbering Serpent (25).
Between midnight and 1am, Friday, October 21st, 576 CY.
Full moon, partly cloudy, damp, cold, misty.





There is a long pause.



Then, through the keyhole, Mouser sees a candle ignite. They hear locks turning, and the door creaks open a crack.



A suspicious eye peers out from the breach in the darkness.

"Yes?" hisses Baltus.

Actions?





Status:

• Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 5, HP 10/10, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl
  Hoom Feethos, Elven Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 3, HP 7/8, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl

Resources:

• Map of Briarsgate
  NPC List for Briarsgate
  The Story So Far (in words)
  The Story So Far (in pictures)

[DadsAngry]

Hoom Feethos:

"Thank you again for see us at such a late hour Mr. Baltus. As you may or may not know my kind don't sleep the length as humans but the little we do is as important as yours. That is what brings me to your door. Could we come in please? I don't wish to wake the caretakers of this establishment or any other patrons that were not aroused by our arrival with our conversation in this hallway." Hoom says with a warming smile.

[Inferno]

Okay. It's been several weekdays. I'm moving this train along.

[Inferno]

Day Six.
Village of Briarsgate, The Inn of the Slumbering Serpent (25).
Between midnight and 1am, Friday, October 21st, 576 CY.
Full moon, partly cloudy, damp, cold, misty.








The door opens no further. Through that miserly crack in the pitch, Baltus frowns with impatient exasperation. He hisses coldly, "The hour is late, master elf. You asked me to open the door that you might make amends for disturbing my sleep. Please do so, and quickly, that I may finally return to it!"


Actions?





Status:

• Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 5, HP 10/10, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl
  Hoom Feethos, Elven Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 3, HP 7/8, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl

Resources:

• Map of Briarsgate
  NPC List for Briarsgate
  The Story So Far (in words)
  The Story So Far (in pictures)

[DadsAngry]

Hoom Feethos:

Hoom walks into the Baltus room.
"Thank and I'm so sorry but enough of that. I've apologies enough and it's time for retribution. My colleague and I would like to reimburse you for your night stay and your morning meal. We both feel horrible that we have disturbed your much needed rest, twice no less. We wanted to speak to you now as apposed to the morning in case we ended up miss you. The lovely innkeeper wife, Belba mention that you were a farmer from the outlaying farms that surround this village. Knowing little of farming myself, I do know farmers rise early in the morning, some even before the sunrises. To have missed the opportunity to make amends with you for our interruptions would have plagued me for days or longer. I don't like to do ill will onto others even in the smallest of circumstances. Just take the establishment across the river currently alight with fire. Even though the innkeeper there spoke rudely to me and my colleague, most-likey a prejudice to our kind, I don't feel any hatred toward the man or his establishment. Racial prejudice is something that I face quite constantly. Belba mention that your here on business. Going to meet with the mayor. What kind of man would you say the mayor is? Would you say he is a fair and just man who would look past one's race and treat him like an equal? You see Mr. Baltus I've heard stories along the road that something was a miss in Briarsgate. Though my colleague and I only intended to stay the night before moving on, something deep down compels me to stay longer and help this plague stricken village if we will be welcomed. Do you think our help will be welcomed Mr. Baltus?"

[Grognardsw]

Mouser nods his head empathetically.

[Inferno]

Nice.
Baltus has his body in the way of the door's arc, perhaps intentionally.
Does Hoom intend to force his way in, or recite the speech in the hall?
If the former, please roll a d20 vs. Strength. Thanks.

[DadsAngry]

Hoom would recite the speech in the hall if Baltus did allow us in his room. I'm trying to make this a friendly visit to gather information not a armed confrontation. Hoom has a warm bed that his wished to utilize while it's still dark out. Well semi dark with a nice orange glow.