Kallimakus
Korvosa was a city in turmoil. After a lifetime of scandals, king Eodred Arabasti II has taken ill and is in seclusion. Some parts of the city hold their breath in anticipation, waiting for the king to pull through, while others hope an end to his reign. For the people of the streets, such matters are of little importance. The city is full of people with their own worries.


 


For Lily Rush, it was her sister, Rose. The brawler learned of her disappearance when one of the clerics came to see her after a match in the  Shattered Shield , a tavern that ran a fighting pit on the side every week and one of the places where she displayed her talents. Her mentor, Stonehand, was friends with the owner. Old hands that enjoyed seeing young folks show what they're made of. Two nights ago, she had learned that Rose had not shown to her study at the temple. Since then, it has been clear that the Korvosan Guard is swamped. Concern was there, and sympathy, but there was a backlog of weeks at least. Other inquiries suggested that she had had dealings with some street urchins on the evenings before her disappearance. Called Lamm's Lambs, desperate orphans that begged and stole on the streets.

After another day of searching and finding little of use, she found a card mixed in with her groceries. A harrow card, of decent make, depicting The Rabbit Prince. On the other side, a hand-written note.


 


For Asher Levin, his missing daughter weighed most heavily on his mind, though it was far from his only worry. That man, Gaedren Lamm, was behind everything wrong with his life. Not perhaps the root cause everywhere, but from his days with the guards, he'd seen the name in report after report, always on the periphery, a slinking man willing to sell out his partners to get off the hook, and with a canny skill of not being around when the guards came calling. Or more likely, a few bribes in the right hands that had given him warning. Even now, dedicating his time in search, he could not learn where the man was hiding. That day, returning home, he finds a card placed on the latch of his home door. It is The Paladin, depicting a warrior in armour, framed by angelic wings. On the other side, he finds a written message.


 


For Ember, the end a good day of performing magic tricks – and some actual magic for flair – brings up unhappy memories. A few kids playing on the stret, reminding the gnome of the childhood of whimsy she had missed because of Gaedren Lamm. He had ‘adopted’ her and taken her along for some of his ventures, none honest and all unpleasant. Until he discarded Ember as a waste. As she checks her earnings for the day, she notices that some jokester had tossed in a card. The Courtesan, one of the Varisian Hallow cards. On the backside is a message written on flourished handwriting.


 


For Vincent, it was another busy day of treating the less fortunate of the city. Every day, injured and sick people with no-one else that could help them, either because of their own poverty or due to wishes of avoiding attention of the authorities. That morning, he had seen a timid boy, maybe ten years old come to him. Vincent recognized the look of the boy as one that he had seen in the mirror when he was the boy’s age. Well, more often a puddle than a mirror. He had acid burns on his arms, though he could not say how it happened. Another venture of Gaedren Lamm, Vincent could guess. He’d helped salve the boy’s injuries and given some food for him.

As the day neared it’s end, he finds something tucked between the pages of his herbalism journal. A card, The Unicorn, depicting the noble beast drawn by a skilled hand. On the other side is a message.


 


For Rudy, it was her friend Gergio’s daughter. She’d returned to the slums the moment the news had reached her. A child lost, Gergio’s little girl gone. Once she reached the city, she got mostly suspicious looks and aversion. As always. People who did not know her were the same. The gnoll had learned that the child, Dalia, or someone like her, had been seen with other young kids, known pickpockets. Both Rudy and Gergio had been in those shoes. The human scum Lamm was involved. Probably targeted Gergio’s child out of pure unreasoned malice too. This was a lead she could use to pay back for what the man had done to her. She remembered the cage.

They say that one can’t find answers at the bottom of a glass. This wasn’t the case for Rudy that night. She had secured lodgings in a run-down inn that would serve someone like her and found a card under her mug. It depicted a wounded man, adventurer, surrounded by spectres of less fortunate. The Survivor. On the other side is a message.


 

 
 Spoiler: The Card's message 
I know what Gaedren
has done to you. He has
wronged me as well. I
know where he dwells,
yet cannot strike at him.
Come to my home at 3
Lancet Street at sunset.
Others like you will be
there. Gaedren must face
his fate, and justice must
be done.
 


A character familiar with the city (DC 12 Local check, that can be made untrained) will know where the street is. Otherwise, one can learn more by asking around. Navigating streets by chance will take a few hours but get there all the same.
Greenflame133
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Rolling the knowledge local  (d20+1)[ 14 ] 
 
Greenflame133
Ember flips a card a few times in her hand, considering the trust worthiness of the note. The city is full of shady characters, her included. On the other hand, there is no shortage of those who would wish Gaedren harm. Then there was an issue how would the know. It was years ago, and she was braging about it past. Ultimetly ciurosity won over douth. With one last trick the card diapper in a flurry of flames. " Alright Ashely, we off to see someone, watch my backs alright? " With that she set out see what was the situation. She got there early, but would not aprouch the house, rather she decies to bland in with the crowd and observe from a distance. Perhaps observing the people closer will yeald a clue to the true nature of this meeting.

 
 Spoiler: Spellcraft: No DC 

She casted Spark
 
 Spoiler: Spellcraft: DC 10 

It was Arcane Mark acually
 
 Spoiler: Spellcraft: DC 13 

Could have been anything
 
 Spoiler: Spellcraft: DC 15 

It was Prestidigitation
 
 Spoiler: DM Info 

She used Prestidigitation to teleport it from her hand into her bag
 

 

 

 

 
Yas392
It all makes sense now...the information he wrung from the fisherman witness. It lines up with his sightings of what he suspected to be shady dealings of that crime lord. The drugs, the kidnapping of children, his missing daughter, the cost of his job, the murder of his Shingle friends and adoptive mother. That is the reason no one from the Guards is able to apprehend Gaedren Lamm. His record is clean. Asher chalks it up to his connections and bribery. As expected of a snake given how slippery and elusive he is. Now, he is going after him, damn the laws. He made it personal by vanishing his daughter. He just needs a location which he can't seem to track since that child nabber covers his tracks well. He grips one of his fists until it is white.

  Lora, please be alive and hold out for me...Soon, papa will save you from the bad man and make sure he can't touch you ever again.  

Asher unfurls his fingers and sighs as he walks to his home at North Point. At the threshold of his doorstep, he stops. Nestled between the metal latch and strong timber that composes his door card from a harrow deck depicting a and note. The disgraced Guard blinks as he takes the note and reads it. Is this a sign from Lady Luck? A revelation from the gods? While he is not a believer, he does not mind it. Every bit of help contributes towards bringing this reprehensible being to justice. After reading the note, he stuffs the card into his pocket. He raps at the door and a top knot red hair woman with a hawk face and barmaid outfit opens it.

 "Welcome back, dear. Any leads to our baby girl?" 

Asher smiles and holds up the message.

  "Yeah, Hun. If what this message say is true, I am going after Lamm to get back Lora."  

His wife clicks her tongue in disapproval and grab his hands.

 "I am coming with you! What kind of a mother would leave her daughter to ruffians!" 

Asher shakes his head and squeezes his wife's hands.

  "Claire, I need you to hold the fort here. Take Lora away and protect her for us once she is rescued. I know you can fight. Lamm is something else. He will thrash you to the inch of your life, ruin your reputation like he did to me or if you are unlucky, kill you. I was made an example of. I am the safer bet going after him. I am already disgraced. My job is in jeopardy. The citizens and my peers give me looks and slinging mud at me behind my back. I don't want anyone in this household to be harassed the same way."  

Claire taps her husband's head with her own.

 "Promise me both of you will come back home safe." 

Asher does not move his head.

  "I promise."  

His wife separates from him, crossing her arms.

 "Fine, you lovable scoundrel. I will take her to my parents in Magnimar. If they come after us, I will give them a beating they will never forget." 

Asher and Claire move to kiss each other in the lips.

 "Eww, get a room you two, you are grossing me out what I am reading! And why am I not included in the plan? Have you forgotten about me and leaving me out?!" 

Husband and wife disconnects with frantic expressions before looking at a halfling with slicked back black hair and a revolted cat face with worker top and tights on a cushion setting down his book.

  "Way to ruin the moment, Slinky. I have not forgotten about you and excluding you, brother. I promised mother to take care of you. You're going to help with the relocation?"  

Slinky waves an arm at Asher.

 "Yeah, yeah. Don't sweat it, Ash. We will hightail to Magnimar when things go south, watching each other's backs and protecting the kid." 

The halfling looks at Claire and nods. Claire nods back at Slinky. Asher smiles and waves at the two.

  "Glad you two are getting along. I am going now. See you when I come back with her."  

He opens the door and moves towards the address with either his knowledge or directions from the people if he will ask for if he does not recall the location. Asher knew his way around the streets since he was young. The sooner he gets his answer, the sooner Gaedren Lamm answers for his crimes against the state and his family. The house can't be that hard to find, right?

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge check for address 
Knowledge (Local):  (1d20+7)[ 9 ] 
 
tonberryking
Rudy had been prepared to be far more patient than this.

She had arrived with the sunrise, and kept mostly to the shadows.  A few hand picked targets she guided over with a massive paw and a big toothy smile: urchins and a priest willing to go slumming in order to save souls.  Rudy would have swore later that she figured the latter to be an undercover informant.  She'd picked targets who wouldn't spread (believable) word that a massive gnoll was going around asking about human children, but hadn't had much luck yet, either.  She was waiting for it to get good and dark before really putting the screws in.  Grab some  real  informants, beat up some local roughs.  Rudy figured she'd even have to threaten to eat somebody before the night was over.  But there on the tavern countertop, was her drink before her planned 'nightshift.'  It had come with a free prize inside.

Somehow, the hyena woman figured this was  still  going to be a long night.

So she went back out, and tried to get there early.  Emphasis on tried.  She was still a monster to many, and whoever this benefactor was, they might not want her showing up and making more than a minimal scene...

 
 Spoiler: OOC/rolls 

 (1d20+1)[ 14 ]  Kn local

 (1d20+5)[ 15 ]  Rudy is also going to try to sneak up to this place.
 
Tom Foolery
She growled as she read the note, her fingers tightening around the paper, crumpling it slightly. For a moment, she considered tearing it to shreds, but something stopped her. Her sister was all that mattered now, and she was determined to find her, no matter what it took. If things didn't work out, she'd make sure those responsible would pay; they'd never stop finding their bodies.

Her sister had been the only bright spot in her life for so long. Recently, things had started looking up: Rose had joined the temple, her fights had been going well, and then there was William. No one had ever looked at her the way he did, and he seemed genuinely interested. But could he really feel that way about a former street kid turned brawler? Especially with all those noble girls around...

She shook her head, slapping her cheeks lightly to focus her mind. First things first—her tonfa. Old Stonehands had always told her to have a backup for her fists, just in case. She strapped it to her waist, feeling the familiar comfort of its weight. Next, she donned her studded leather armor, a remnant from when she'd considered becoming a mercenary, inspired by Stonehands.

Gathering the rest of her belongings, she made her way out of the room she rented at the Maiden's Hands Inn. She waved to Grandma Wilks as she passed, calling out, "I won't be back tonight, Granny. Take care."

Stepping out into the street, she began her inquiries about the location of 3 Lancet Street and the whereabouts of a Harrow reader. She was curious about the meaning of the rabbit prince symbol. She asked around, her voice carrying a sense of urgency, her eyes scanning the faces of those she encountered, hoping for a lead.

As she continued her search, her mind wandered back to her sister, the note, and the unknown forces that had taken her. A fire burned within her—a determination to reunite with her sister and bring those responsible to justice. She would not rest until she had answers, and she vowed to make those who had taken her sister pay dearly.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

Knowledge: Local (untrained) (1d20-1)[ 8 ] 
If I need it for gathering information.
Diplomacy (untrained)   (1d20+2)[ 12 ] 
 
Gyrfalcon
The half-elf fingers the Harrow card that someone had tucked into his journal. It was troubling, for it indicated someone knew him well enough to know the significance of this book to him, its location in the room that he laughingly called his office, and the skills to slip into that room while the clinic is busy and slip out again without anyone being the wiser.

Yes, it was a danger. But it was also an opportunity. Vincent knew from his own experiences that the boy he treated earlier had likely been forced to try to disarm an acid trap with little in the way of experience or tools. Gaedren had always been a firm believer in two things - first, that experience was the best teacher. And second, that there were always more urchins where the last came from.

Moving deliberately, he ties his brown hair back in a simple ponytail and picked up his armored coat, slipping it on with easy familiarity despite its weight. His weapon and shield are concealed under the coat's heavy folds and he steps out the door, calling to his assistant Lenny to keep an eye on the clinic.

The young acolyte of Desna was well capable in his own right, and Vincent knew the street and the location of the house, his feet carrying him through the city as the sun began to fall. He passes by the destitute and downtrodden and nods to a few faces he knows among the crowd.
Kallimakus
Ember recalls the address well enough. It was the home and 'office' of a varisian fortune teller called Zellara. The few final onlookers clap at the magic trick, a clear encore.
Ashley mews affirmatively, following the gnome as she heads towards the street in Midlands district, near the docks. Lancet Street, it turns out, is a small street a block away from the docks. The street is pretty clean and crowded, porters, dockworkers and sailors mixing with the local populace. The storefronts along the street have fresh coats of paint in places. Ember and Ashley observe the address, a small home with a sign "Fortunes told" folded beside the door. It doesn't seem locked.


 


Rudy is the next on the scene, skulking in the shadowed alleys. She remembers this place vaguely, running through the same alleys after escaping Lamm. They seemed smaller now. And the shadows of the evening appealed to her instincts. A good place to spring from. And hidden well enough from the street that few paid attention to her. She notices a few hurry their step as they pass her hiding spot. The place at the address looks nice enough. Inviting even. A light shines from between the colourful drapes on the window. An odd scent wafts from the inside to the street.


 


Leaving the clinic to Lenny, he could rest assured it was in capable hands. Though the young man lacked Vincent's grasp of herbal remedies and their use, he had other ways to help the wounded and the sick, and a dogged perseverance to him. He crossed over the Narrows and into Korvosa proper. It was so much nicer here, walking through a boulevard towards the river front.

Vincent passes through the crowded and quiet streets alike, receiving nods and waves from people he has seen to, and friends along the way. The address was home to the Varisian fortune teller, Zellara. They'd crossed paths on occasion, as the woman would sometimes pray to Desna for guidance. It had been a while since he had last seen her. Perhaps her fortunes had picked up, for her to have a home in a nicer part of town. Approaching the door, he sees it has been left unlocked and slightly ajar. An inner door of hung beads obscures view from the street inside and lends the place some mystique.

 
 Spoiler: Inside 
The interior of the small, humble home is a single cozy chamber filled with a fragrant haze of flowers and strong spice. The aroma comes from several sticks of incense smoldering in wall-mounted burners that look like butterfly-winged elves. The smoke gives the room a dreamy feel.

The walls are draped with brocaded tapestries, one showing a black-skulled beast
juggling human hearts, and another showing a pair of angels dancing atop a snow-blasted mountain. A third tapestry on the far wall depicts a tall, hooded figure shrouded in mist, holding a flaming sword in a skeletal hand. Several brightly colored rugs cover the floor, but the room’s only furnishings are a wooden table covered by a bright red throw cloth and several elegant, tall-backed chairs. A basket covered by blue cloth sits under the table
 


 


Lily does not recall the address out of hand. After asking around, she finds a helpful couple who recall something about it.
 "Ah. Looking to get your fortune told?"  the man asks.  "Don't know what sort of magic was on those cards but they did wonders for us." 
"You'll need to go to to Midland district, near the docks. It crosses with Warehouse Way. It's a shorter street" the woman says in turn.

Indeed it was. Close to the docks, the street is nice and prettied up, and sees a lot of traffic. She spots the right house.


 


Saying a last goodbye to his wife, Asher heads out. His experience with the guard lets him recall how the street names are arranged, and he finds it near the docks, along with other streets and alleys named after tools of surgery. There used to be a hospital ward here, until the growing docks saw it shrunken down, but history lived on in the names. Small storefronts and homes lined the streets here, kept nice and clean. He spots a pair of guards on a leisurely patrol along Field Marshal Avenue on his way.

He is the last to arrive to the listed address, coming close to sundown.


 


From their positions, Rudy and Ember can spot a half-elf in a heavy coat come by the entrance. Ember can guess that this man is not Zellara.
Gyrfalcon
Vincent pauses in front of the open front door of the house. A wave of images flash throug his mind, many possibilities jumbled together in a nonsensical wave. He sways for a moment and touches his forehead before his sense of hereand now reestablishes itself - alongside a firm suspicion that he's being watched. With a street rat's wariness, he takes hold of a weapon under his coat as he scrutinizes the shadows and buildings around him.

 Perception vs Stealth rolls -   (1d20+5)[ 16 ] 

He sees at least one set of eyes peering out of the shadows of an alley and moments later another figure round the corner and start towards the building he is standing in front of. He half-draws a strange four-bladed weapon before relaxing when he sees who's coming towards him.

 "Lily. Somehow I ain't surprised that the likes 'o you is wrapped up in this."  he says, his common thick with the accent of the gutter. He turns towards where the watchers are hiding.  "Oi! You over there - yeah, I see you! Come on out, or do ya mean to try to rattle me braincase from behind?" 
Greenflame133
Not realizing there was someone else hiding, and what was calmed by what saw, Ember decides to revel herself. It made sens for a fortuneteller to have uncanny insight and counting people gathering in front of the door it was clear she would not be allone. Ember picks up Ashley by the scruff of her neck and places her in a shawl tied across a holder and improvised into a cat hammock. Steeping out she decides to adopt more formal and polite tone. Her racional meaning that it would help her not apper. ruffian looking to shank them an when he is distranced. " I presumed you also have been summoned here. Pardone my coyness. We are all worried given the unsuall curisomstance. " She is small, even for a gnome. Shere wears a long sea teal dress with a deep green vest, and a shawl of the same colour. Her long pink and pruple hair is put to the side in neat ponytail showing off her pirced ears. She put a lot visually set herself aparet from her former life. Keeping everthing clean and in good condison with magic. Her armour carefully hiven beneath the vest, and all the surival gear stuffed in the backpack. " Do say, what do make of this situation. Surely there is more to it then charity work. "
Tom Foolery
All the way to the meeting place Lilly was a wreck. Worries and self blame and guilt plagued her all the way there as she nears the house she sees Vince. Lilly glowered at Vincent and stalk toward him. Her fear and anger simmers under the her skin but she was controlling it for now. Now her sister is missing and he's here where the card said to be.  "Why are you here Vince. What do you know about my sister's disappearance. Are you a part of the Lamm's Lamb? " She growls at Vincent.
Gyrfalcon
Lily seems more agitated and on edge then normal from Vincent's experience, and as she starts towards him with accusations, he holds up a hand to stop her, fishing the Unicorn card out of his pocket with two fingers, showing it to both Lily and the gnome who apparently also was summoned here. Yet he's certain that the eyes he saw were far too high to be the gnome and keeps a wary eye out for others approaching.

 "Aye, so I  was ."  Vincent says, stashing the card away and pulling up his shirt to reveal his stomach - and a long, wide scar that wraps around his side and disappears up higher.  "Lamm gave me this as a parting gift when I left his employ. I was one 'o his 'Lambs', aye, th' same as th' other poor souls that 'e takes off the street. Weren't for the grace of Desna and Her priests, I'd be right dead I'd be." 

He frowns at Lily and shakes his head.  "As for yer sister, I didn't know she was missing. I can ask some o' the Lambs that come by the clinic if they ken a new lass of no. But I came here 'cause o' the promise that th' owner of these cards here knows where that bastard Gaedren hides himself." 
Yas392
Asher is irritable. He has trouble navigating through the streets not like the him from before. He believes he lost his edge when he blended back into his crowd and what once took him a breath to accomplish now takes ten. Or perhaps the mysterious inviter's accommodation is as well-covered as Lamm's hideout, masked with the housing backdrop sharing the sameness as any other housing surrounding it that makes it difficult to find. Those are his thoughts as he turns into alleyways, completing the paths, circling the main streets in Midland, lined with taverns, stores and the occasional spire and warehouse. He avoids his headquarters and his peers in the Guards. He is not in the mood to search there or talk to his colleagues. It is at his wit's end when he asks a passerby to jog his memory of the street names. Asher slaps a hand on his head.

  At the docks...  

He arrives at Lancet Street, ignoring the buildings in his gait to the correct house simultaneous to the sun setting. He enters through the entrance to hear one of the arrivals throwing venom at another. Looking around, he sees an armored gnoll with the same hairstyle as him, half-elf in heavy coat, bespectacled green robed gnome with purple hair tied to a braid and a female human with a fighter's build. The large, cloaked guardsman with a scarred eye on his stony face with a wrapped weapon strapped to his back does not interrupt the conversation and instead let it play out. He uses gap between the dialogue to survey the house. The chamber is very Varisian and befitting of a diviner. The aroma, spice, murals and basket make it so. The end of the conversation from the half-elf shakes him out of his reverie. He unhoods himself, revealing a brown mohawk.

  "Then, we have the same goal. We all want Lamm's head on a pike. He is why my daughter is missing! I am getting restless and thirsty for answers after spending hours in the sun searching for this place. I don't know how long I can hold myself back before I throttle someone for answers. I hope our benefactor gives us the location of that bastard post-haste so we can carry out justice."  

His voice while mild is tinted with anger.
Greenflame133
Flash of harrowing confirms what Ember hopes was the case. Something she didn't mention as she used to information coming at a premium. Time on the street made her rather guarded and suspicious. She turns to Asher then he arrives. " Our goals indeed aglin, but I'm also somewhat weary of Zellara, do think she really has bad blood with Gaedren? " She speaks calmly, years away from Lambs turned burning hatred into cold bloodlust. Without the time factor, missing family member, she talks a calm approach of watching her back.
Tom Foolery
Lily's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she offered a tentative smile to Vince. " "I'm sorry about earlier,"  she said, her voice soft and apologetic. " "I've been on edge since my sister disappeared, and I took it out on you. It wasn't fair."  She paused, taking a few deep breaths to steady herself. " "I shouldn't have blown up like that." 

With a slight hesitation, she reached into her pocket and withdrew the rabbit prince card, holding it out to Vince. " "I received this, and it mentioned the Lamm's Lamb,"  she explained, her eyes flicking nervously to the card and then back to him. " "I just—I had to make sure, you know?" 

As the new arrival approached, Lily turned, her body tensing as she took in the man's appearance. He bore the unmistakable air of a guard or hired sword, and Lily's hands curled into fists at her sides before she consciously relaxed them. She knew she couldn't let her personal dislikes or prejudices get in the way of finding her sister.

" "Did you also receive a card?"  she asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. " "The rabbit prince... it seems to be a sign or symbol of some sort. I'm hoping it will lead me to my sister."  Lily's gaze flickered between the two men, her expression a mix of determination and unease.
Yas392
The answer is in the note. Perhaps in her rush, the she-gnome forgotten the contents of the paper. However, by a second telling, the guarded demeanour from the speech and body language indicate to the guardsman that it is not the case. He knows it is a learned behaviour: a trait he learned when dropped into the Shingles and fighting for his life. It is relatable. To test the waters then. He turns to Lily who is displaying similar traits but more open from her emotional responses. Her overprotectiveness for her sister mirrors his own for his daughter which is frightening. Instead of pushing them for their reasons for acting this way, he will indulge in the small talk to gain their trust. Asher breaths in and out. Once he is calm, he shrugs.

  "I believe her note."  

Though calm, his dialogue is unable to hide the quickened pace and distress. He strokes his beard.

  "Zellara..."  

After a pause and drawling of the name, the big man takes out a card emblazoned with a winged paladin from his pocket and shows it to the brawler.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 Knowledge (Local) for information on Zellara:   (1d20+7)[ 15 ] 
 
tonberryking
 
 Originally Posted by Gyrfalcon 
  "Oi! You over there - yeah, I see you! Come on out, or do ya mean to try to rattle me braincase from behind?"  
 

After a pregnant pause, in which the very shadows themselves let out a gruff, frustrated, sigh, a lean, female gnoll pads quietly out of the darkness, her golden eyes shining.

 "Well. I'm not here to rattle  yourr  brain case if that means anything to you."  she growls her 'r's ever so slightly, folding her arms over her chest.

 "So. You'rre all here for missing children, too? Figurres. Who's the charlatan passing out mummery carrds that wants to talk to us about them? I won't say I was hunting Lamm just fine on my own, but I don't trrust any of this." 
Gyrfalcon
Vincent makes a gesture of dismissal as Lily apologizes.  "As leaves on the wind."  he says, a translation of an Elven saying - roughly as something not to be worried about.

The half-elf raises an eyebrow in surprise as the watcher in shadows steps out and reveals herself to be a gnoll - a rare sight, even in the slums.  "Aye, well, unless she sent out a whole deck 'o cards, let's take this inside where there are less eyes to pry. We're an odd enough lot that a chinwagger'll happily sell a rumor o' this if it'll earn him coppers for his drink." 

Vincent opens the door and steps through the beaded curtain, a hand under his coat to grip one of the handles of his starblade.
Kallimakus
 
 Spoiler: Zellara 
Asher knows Zellara just as a fortune teller. He recalls seeing her name in some cold case before he was suspended from the guard.
 


At Vincent's urging, they enter. A table has been set for them, with six seats. Candles shine on the table, and there's a basket beneath it. A delicious scent emanates from it.
 "Please take a seat"  a woman's voice says. A hand pushes aside one of the tapestries. A Varisian woman with long, dark hair enters the room. She is lean, getting on in years but her beauty has not yet tarnished. From her pocket she produces a deck of cards. She shuffles and mixes, and lays a card for each other person, a twin to the one bearing the message
 “Thank you for coming, my friends, and for putting up with my unconventional method of contacting you. I have reason to remain hidden, you see—a vicious man would see great harm done to me if he knew I was reaching out for help. This man has done something terrible to each of you as well. I speak, of course, of Gaedren Lamm, a man whose cruelty and capacity to destroy the lives of those he touches are matched only by his gift for avoiding reprisal. You see, a year ago, his thieves stole this, my harrow deck, from me. It is important to me, an heirloom passed down through a dozen generations, and also my sole means of support. When Lamm’s pickpockets stole it, my son Eran tracked them down and returned my deck to me. But Gaedren had him followed, and soon after he left my home, Gaedren’s thugs murdered him. 
She gathers the cards, shuffling them back, and laying the deck on the table face down, fanning the cards before her.

  “I sought help from the Korvosan Guard, but they turned me away. And so I asked around. I paid bribes. I consulted my harrow deck for advice. And recently, I was rewarded—I found out where Gaedren dwells. He can be found in an old fishery north of here, at Westpier 17, where he trains abducted children to be pickpockets and counts his stolen treasures." 
Her eyes move through Asher, Vincent, Lily, Ember and Rudy.

 “But I need your help. I cannot hope to face this man on my own, and the Guard moves so slowly that if they were willing to help, Gaedren would certainly know of their coming well in advance. And even if they arrested him, what guarantee would I have he would be punished? This criminal has evaded the law for decades. But you know of these frustrations as well, for my cards say that Gaedren has wronged each of you, too. So there we are. It is time for him to pay.” 
Greenflame133
Ember enter the house with some lingering unease but finding confidence in the size of the group. She makes her way onto the chair, finding the need to climb on top rather incontinent, nor was the pile of cushions super stable. When giver her card, she fidgets with it idly, making it fly between her fingers like a leaf on the wind.

When Zellarafinishes her speach. " We seem to have numerical advantage, and given the time sensitive nature of the issue it would be best to make a move before sunrise. any clue why would he kidnap so many children all at once? It's not something I seen him do. "
Tom Foolery
Lilly settled into the seat offered by the old fortune teller, her eyes focused intently on the mysterious figure. As the fortune teller began to speak, Lilly listened intently, her brow furrowed in concentration. She wasn't used to strategic thinking, but she knew the gravity of the situation demanded it.

When the fortune teller finished, Lilly sat in silence for a moment, considering the information she had just received. Finally, she spoke, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her. " Do we know if the missing children are being held at the Lamm's headquarters? Are they using them as hostages? We can't just charge in without considering their safety. " Lilly's eyes narrowed as she envisioned the upcoming attack, her mind working through potential pitfalls.
tonberryking
The gnoll keeps her arms folding in front of her before taking a scolding tone:  "You couldn't find even  more  people Lamm's wronged? Grrr. Well. Tell us where he is so we can go get him tonight; the sooner we leave, the less chance Lamm has of finding out about this, less chance he has of hurting children." 
Gyrfalcon
While several of the others eagerly bite on the opportunity to do harm to Gaedren Lamm, Vincent sits back in his chair and frowns, his arms crossed and drumming his fingers on his arm.

 "I'm sorry for yer loss, Miss Zellara. Aye, Lamm has done me wrong, and I'll be the first t' dance a jig o'top his grave when he dies. But we cannae the only ones that Lamm has wronged and that'll happily slide a knife 'tween his ribs. But why us, en nae a few mercenaries or sneakblades?"  he asks bluntly.

 "Also, Lamm always has skullcrackers close t' hand, and while I know Lily is a solid enough pit dog, we cannae just rush in." 
Yas392
Asher sits down and hears her tale after the Varisian lays down a card matching the one she gave him which he pocketed after showing it to Lily. He relaxes after Zellara reveals the location of their elusive target who is hiding in a fishery and her story that gives her justification for vengeance. The Guards failed her. He failed her. He has to make this right. He growls as he thinks of this. While the gathered are divided between questioning the selection to go after Lamm and state of children, he bows his head to the fortuneteller.

  "Condolences."  

The giant turns to the gnoll.

  "Zellara told us where to find him."  

The guardsman narrows his eyes in solemnity, looking downward in thought. Not because of the gravitas of the situation. Zellara's story checks out mostly. There is a missing jigsaw piece in the story from the report of a case gone cold that causes him doubt and share some of the female gnome's wariness. Namely the methods of a missing person living under low-profile sending invitations to their addresses in the form of cards without garnering Lamm's attention or getting caught. Magic is plausible if casted by an experience spellcaster. Zellara does not look the type. She would have to do so physically, risking or abolishing her anonymity. Then, there is her locating of Gaedren Lamm's hideout and escaping without repercussions which branches off to couple of questions. Lamm is thorough in tying up loose ends. How did she escape alive? How is she not moving from location to location to avoid surveillance? How did Lamm not find her with his connections and clout? Asher discards the thought of her gathering more experienced adventurers or wronged victims. Those will scare Lamm into being more prepared and invisible. Puzzle, puzzle, puzzle. Asher looks up to meet Zellara's eyes.

  "I have a question before I give you my answer. The report I read about your disappearance contradicts with your appearance here. How could a missing person escape Gaedren Lamm and live to tell the tale after finding him? Gaedren Lamm is not the type of person who let someone leak his whereabouts live. Hiding is pointless. He has eyes lurking around and the means to make someone disappear in areas not under his claim. I need to know that before I move on to my answer, preferably with proof. We need to know if you are present in this room and is the person speaking to us."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 Knowledge (Local) on Gaedren Lamm:   (1d20+7)[ 26 ] 
 
Kallimakus
 "The cards tell what they tell. It is how I found each of you."   Zellara says.  "While there are no doubt those of mercenary bent, I have little more than bread and common wine to offer, beside the chance to avenge the wrongs he has committed."

"I have little doubt he and any cronies he has will try to bully the children and use them as hostages given half a chance.  

Those that have worked with Lamm know this much: Many of his lambs will be out during the day, but asleep now. Both situations have their own risks. Going at night might let them catch Lamm and his thugs with their pants down, while going by day might result in fewer kids in the line of fire, but the place perhaps more alert.

As for the questions of Asher, his experienced eye can tell she's not eager to reply, or lie to a lawman. Eventually, she does reply.  "I am the person speaking to you, not some wizard's trick of a spell, nor a trick of Gaedren to lure out his enemies, for he is a coward, as well as many other despicable things. Nor am I even a ghost come seeking revenge." 
She shuffles her cards again, laying out nine in a harrow spread.

Those that are attentive can tell she is a little evasive. However, it is clear that she was able to furnish the room for the visitors, and touch the cards she wields.

Everyone can make a Sense Motive and Perception checks.

 
 Spoiler: Gaedren Lamm, DC 22 Local 
Gaedren Lamm is an old hand at crime at this stage, a lowlife throughout his career. He has tagged along with a few criminals that have outshined him in notoriety, like the Saint's Mask mugger, who wore the likeness of Korvosa's founding saint, or Aester the Immolator, a dropout from Academae who burned himself and his home after running a foul of law.

He is a rogue and cutpurse originally, though for decades his "lambs" gave done the street work for him. He has also run a variety of innovative scam businesses, from instant cure mud bricks (with Aster's fire magic and child labor, to home cleaning that cleans away everything not nailed down.

Asher knows that he tends to take advantage of a loophole in the city ordinances, where there is a gap between when a building is abandoned by its owner and when the city takes action to take ownership of it or tear it down.
 
Tom Foolery
Lily listened intently as the fortune teller laid out the options for their impending mission. The choice between a daytime or nighttime raid was a difficult one, each presenting its own set of advantages and drawbacks. As she considered the pros and cons, her mind kept returning to the element of surprise that a night raid would afford them.

" If we decide on a night raid, " Lily began, her voice steady and thoughtful, " we'd have the cover of darkness on our side. The element of surprise could be crucial in ensuring the Lamb doesn't have time to move the children or make a run for it. " She paused, her eyes narrowing in concentration as she envisioned the scenario. " Plus, " she added, "i t plays to my strengths. As a prize fighter, I'm adept with my hands, both in terms of combat and agility. I can move quickly and strike hard when needed. "

Lily's gaze shifted around the room, taking in the diverse group of individuals who had assembled for this mission. " I'm a good dancer too, " she continued, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. " If we require a distraction, I can provide one. But what about the rest of you? What unique skills and abilities can each of you bring to the table? "

She scanned the faces of her companions, knowing that their success would depend on their ability to function as a cohesive unit. " Are there any stealth experts among us? Anyone with a particular talent for strategy or problem-solving? We might be a collection of misfits, " she said with a hint of a challenge in her voice, " but together, we can form a formidable team. "

Lily's eyes sparkled with determination as she awaited their responses. She knew that each person present had their own story, their own unique set of experiences and abilities. It was time to unite their strengths and forge a plan that would ensure the safe rescue of the missing children. Despite their differences, she believed in the power of their collective effort, and she was ready to face the challenges that lay ahead, confident in the capabilities they could bring to bear.
Yas392
Asher listens then holds up his hand to Lily.

  "After."  

He keeps eye contact with the fortune teller as she evades answering.

  "You haven't answered my question on how you escaped from Lamm and survived to this day. I'm waiting for an answer."  
Kallimakus
Zellara remains quiet for a moment before meeting Asher's eyes.  "I did not"  she says in reply to his question.  "What's left is just an echo. And hope" 
 "Hope that you can get justice. For the wrongs he has done to each of you. To me, and my son, and countless others besides. Make this city just that little better." 
Greenflame133
Ember start fidgeting, worrying a little bit as there in needed an unaddressed matter. " You have told us of things you are not. Yet here we are. In your home, home many know of. I evaded Gaedren, but I'm not nowhere as well knows as you, nor is there a place one could find me reliably. For all that he is crew, Gaedren is no fool. Tell me then, how did you outwit him. "
Yas392
Asher stands up all of a sudden, moving to touch Zellara's hand, at the same time surveys the woman's actions with thoroughness.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 Perception (Take 20)  - 20
 
Gyrfalcon
Vincent stills as he realizes the danger they’re in.  ”She dinnae escape him. She’s a spook, aye, a haunt. Bound t’ her regrets of t’ her loss. Not ‘til Lamm dies can she be at peace I reckon. Izzat how you slipped t’ card into my office?” 

The half-elf frowns and taps his fingers on the table.  “Aight. If we come to a solid plan, I’m willing t’ take a swing at Lamm.

I’m no sneak blade, but the Desnans, they taught me how t’ bind a wound and medicines for e’ery ill. Recently it became something… more. Nae Desna’s touch, but I can spell a wound closed, like a prayer of a paladin’s touch, aye. The priests taught me how t’ fight with a starknife, and I’m no slouch with one.

“I’m also told I have a tongue ‘o silver. I convinced the Desnans t’ open my clinic, an’ th’ gangs t’ swear it safe. Open t’ every soul, an’ the Hells to pay t’ the first to try to slip a blade ‘tween ribs of poison in my draughts.”

“As for attacking Lamm, we can better sus out who his knuckledraggers are these days, and iffen the newlings stay with him of apart.” 

((Those with local knowledge of the slums know that when the clinic first opened, the gangs publicly gutted the first person to try to murder a patient there and have strictly enforced its neutrality since.))
Kallimakus
Asher reaches for Zellara's hand. It feels solid to his touch, as soft and warm as his wife's. She looks at him with surprise.

 
 Spoiler: Religion DC 15 
She is, as she said, less than a ghost. More particularly, the group is experiencing a haunt that can produce an illusion for all senses, including touch, and manipulate related objects.
 
Greenflame133
Vincent says she is some kind of spook, while Asher is touching what should be ephemera. How stranger. On one hand, a house with unfinished buiness is a well-known tail, and it currently would make sense. On the other hand, Asher is doign what should be inpossiable. Could it be some kind of echantment on Vincent? " I know some magic of my own, it is enought to save my ass on many occesioons, but it's hard to tell how much it will do aganist someone like Gaedren. That said, I wonder " Embers eyes glint with light shade of blue as casts Detect Magic, looking around the room to figure out more about this situesion.
Yas392
Regardless of whether his hand passes through the informant or not, Asher is content due to his knowledge matching what Vincent told the party and does not push more to bog down a simple mission of revenge and justice. He bows.

  "A haunt. Apologies, Miss Zellara, for the sudden action. I need to confirm who I am avenging and compensating. You and your son or your son. It is the former. You have my arms. Rest assured, I will rectify my peers' failures and bury your body and your son's after dealing with Lamm if we find them."  

The guardsman turns to the others, particularly Lily whom he delayed his answer.

  "I am on board with the element of surprise at night as long as we position ourselves at vantage points when we attack the place. We need to have clear vision as we face Lamm's goons and Lamm himself if we are dealing with them quick. As for strengths, I have reach with my polearm so they will be hard-pressed to get close or escape us without suffering gashes. I can protect anyone beside me by whacking away fists and weapons. I am well-versed with many subjects to know what I am getting into before I act. Not your typical reckless brute. I can scare people. Otherwise, I am terrible with everything else."  

Asher gestures to the group.

  "Since we are working together, how about we start with names and maybe professions if you are comfortable? First step to trust. I am Asher, suspended Korvasan Guard going former."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 Knowledge (Local) about Lamm's Fishery:   (1d20+7)[ 23 ] 
 
Tom Foolery
Lilly's gaze hardened as she fixed her eyes on the former guard, her posture radiating defiance. Then, with a noticeable sigh, she consciously relaxed her stance, her shoulders dropping slightly. " My name is Lily Rush, " she introduced herself, her voice steady despite the challenge in her eyes. " I'm a prize fighter—I know my way around a brawl, and I'm good at punching things without getting hit myself. " She paused, a hint of a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. " And yes, " she added, " I can dance, too, if that's helpful. "

With a subtle shrug, Lily continued, her tone matter-of-fact. "I 'm looking for my little sister. That's why I'm here. I'm willing to use whatever skills I have to find her and bring her home safe. " Her eyes narrowed slightly as she held the ex-guard's gaze, her expression daring him to question her abilities or motives.

Lily's body language exuded confidence and a hint of aggression, a fighter's instinct always simmering just beneath the surface. Yet, there was also a sense of vulnerability lurking in the depths of her eyes, a silent acknowledgment of the worry and fear she felt for her missing sister. She stood tall, her fists loosely clenched at her sides, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in her search.
Gyrfalcon
Like Lily, Vincent stiffens as he eyes the former guard, slum-bred wariness radiating from the half-elf's features. Likewise, he unbends enough to offer his name to the group.

 "I'm Vincent t' Foundling. I'm a street doctor, aye - I help run t' clinic in t' slums if yer down on yer luck. As fer my connection with Lamm - I was one o' his Lambs. My mother sold me t' him for a song when I was small, and I was one o' th' wee beggers an' lightfingers t' earn my bread. 'Found' an icon o' Desna made o' silver, an' it sparked somethin' in me. Snuck away to th' services I did, until Lamm found out.

Th' old bastard beat me near t' death and left me with more than a few scars he did. T'was the grace of Desna that I dragged my carcass t' Her temple and they patched me up and took me in." 
Greenflame133
Ember takes a piece of carved wood and fidgets with it, showing her skill. " Nice meeting you folks, wish it was under more present circumstances. I'm Ember Orbis, I have been away from Garden for years. I was sold to his employ in early childhood, left beaten and left for dead. Luck currently I make my living with performing magic and tricks on the streets. It's not glamours, but I am doing much better than doing crime with the Lambs. " She reviles more truths than usually, but even now can't help but weave in a few lies. Then she reaches to her scarf and pulls out a cat by then scruff of her neck. " and this is Ashely, very friendly and cuddly creature, if you don't go annoying her too much "

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Bluff [roll]d20+11+5[/roll]
Using Silver Tongue for a +5 and possiably by pass magical lie detecion
 
Yas392
Lily's tone and defiance do not faze him. He views her as himself with less calm and youthful fire not tempered with age. Maintaining eye contact with the brawler, Asher chuckles as he adopts a laid-back stance: open arms by his sides, posture straight, uncrossed legs that spreads apart, head tilt.

  "I am looking for my daughter. I think we can get along fine and help each other out. Better a group than alone. Don't hesitate to ask for my help if you need it. I can improve your some of your skills which is a part I forgot to include in my strengths resume."  

The tone directed to Lily is lighthearted and relaxed. When Vincent and Ember introduce themselves, the guardsman winces and touches his eye scar when they get to the part where Lamm beats them to near death.

  "Nice to meet you. Let's move out before we forget our plan."  
Kallimakus
The group heads out, stepping to the streets and heading towards the riverside docks. The area seems derelict and down on it's luck, but none worse than the fishery that Lamm has claimed for his home. Decrepit and creaking in the coastal wind, the roof of the large building sags, and parts of the tiling has come loose and fallen off. The walls are unkempt and covered with creeping vines, moss and lichen. The windows are boarded shut, but haphazardly.

The building is in two storeys, built upon the iver's embankment, with the upper floor on the street level, the lower close to the waterline and built over the river. A ship in exactly as sorry a state as the building is lashed to a rickety pier. The entire location reeks of spoiled fish.

A main double door faces the street, with a post that would once have held a sign standing next to it that would once have announced the business that owned the building. To the left is a loading dock, with a few carts about. Barrels with a splotch of red paint (a leaping fish if a little imagination is used) are left on the platform as well, and there is a second set of doors.
A walkway to the right leads to the pier. It is at once rickety and overbuilt, with a forest of rotten support pillars able to keep it up. Another door to access the interior is on this side. Below the walkway, the steep bank drops over ten feet to the waterline. A set of stairs on the left leads to the waterline, with a door to the lower floor present.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
All the doors are locked, requiring either lockpicking by Disable Device, or breaking them with either weapon attacks or a Strength check.
I'll label the doors for ease of communications:
Door 1 on the street level, the front one.
Door 2 on the loading dock to the left.
Door 3 on the walkway to the right. An acrobatics check is needed for anyone in medium or heavier armour that reaches the door diue to rickety construction and slippery conditions.
Door 4 at the bottom of the stairs to the left. An acrobatics check is needed to descend the slippery stairs safely.
 
Greenflame133
Ember looks over her companions. " Some of you are former lambs, correct? Perhaps someone actually managed to how to pick locks. I would like to at least try to catch the bad man by surprise "
Yas392
Asher looks at the building layout, having his fauchard out.

  "I suppose we are entering through the door at loading docks on the left. Front is too obvious. The other doors require balancing on our feet to reach the knobs. I'll try to break the door if we don't have a lockpicker."  

He keeps his volume down.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 STR check on Door 2 if no one has lockpicking skill:   (1d20+4)[ 20 ] 
 
Tom Foolery
Lilly peered out from the alleyway, her eyes fixed on the fish warehouse. " I can pick locks, " she said, a hint of pride in her voice. " You learn what you need to on the streets. Survival means picking up a few tricks along the way. " She paused, a faint smile playing on her lips as she recalled the lessons the hard life had taught her. " I've gotten pretty good at it too. This should be a piece of cake. "
Yas392
Asher steps back to give Lily space to do her thing once everyone agree on the door they need unlocked.
Greenflame133
Ember mixes some green dust from her pixie pouch with fat and dyes her skin to try and make herself appear as a different gnome. Then follows Lilly, moving as quietly as she can

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

 (d20+11)[ 23 ]  Disguise
 (d20+1)[ 3 ]  Stealth
 
Gyrfalcon
Vincent grunts as he keeps a watchful eye around the group while Lily deals with the lock, drawing a four-bladed weapon from under his heavy coat alongside a buckler.  "The priests frowned on that sort of thing, aye - an' I was always more for the wheedlin' than the burglary. Glad Lily kept up her skills, forcin' the door would rouse th' dead." 
Alhallor
Xartan has asked some questions around town for several days now and he didn't had much luck, mostly because he didn't wanted to raise too much attention. But he did get a pretty good lead now and found the Fishery that damn Lamn should have hidden out. And it seemed that he wasn't the only one who has found that place.

Xartan didn't hid himself and just walked towards the group, the young Chelaxian had long black hair, weared simple clothes that seem to have been dragged through the dirt of the street several times and is waving a severely scarred hand.

 Greetings! Am I right in the assumption that you also want to... Meet Gaedren? 
Yas392
Asher gives a wistful smile at Vincent's quip of street skills which is a reminder of what he lost when he exchanged stealth and roguery for a weapon he can swing to protect those he swore to protect and against enemies who threaten the welfare of the city. The new arrival sets the guardsman face back to his usual stoic face and on guard.

  "We will need to know what your purpose is before we exchange answers. I am guessing you are not with Lamm?"  
Tom Foolery
Lily knelt down, her lockpicks already in hand. With a slight shrug, she set to work, her eyes narrowing in concentration as she focused on the intricate task before her. The chatter of her companions faded into the background as she entered a world of her own, her nimble fingers dancing over the lock.

" Shh, " she murmured, not taking her eyes off the lock picks. " Just give me a moment. " Her voice was calm and steady, reflecting the confidence she had in her abilities.

She let's Asher take the lead with the new kid.

 
 Spoiler: Disable Device Roll 
Disable Device: [roll]1d20+8[/roll]
 
Alhallor
The young man lowers his voice to not distract Lily too much.

 Oh, I was with Lamm before. 

Xartan shows his heavily scarred hands.  I have a bit of a trifle with him now however, he did that to me and left me to die in a ditch. Seeing you trying to get in, I guess we have similiar goals? 
Yas392
The newcomer's circumstances and motive for revenge are like Vincent's. He will give him the benefit of doubt as he did to the others since they had been wronged by the criminal which includes himself. Asher's shoulders slump.

  "A victim and former lamb of Lamm who wants revenge. Reinforcement then. Yeah on the infiltration. You are welcome to join us in our assault against him. While our ally is working on the door, can you brief us on what you can do, uh..."  
Tom Foolery
Lilly mutters at her failure. The lock must be getting rusty from the salt air. She tries again.

Disable Devices: (1d20+8)[ 20 ] 
Alhallor
The young man points to himself.  Xartan. 

Then let his hands fall down.  I can't handle a weapon at all, but it's a bit weird after having been thrown out and left to die I have acquired some... Lesser wonders I guess? Some healing, some fire-related things, helping others handle fear. I'm pretty sure my musical talents will not help us in there at all. 

To demonstrate, Xartan snaps his fingers, letting a small spark fly upwards and sizzle out on the way down.
Gyrfalcon
Vincent feels the hairs on the back of his neck prickle as Xartan describes his own experiences and his own explained powers.. The half-elf grunts to himself.  "Aye, Lamm has a fetish for not finishin' th' job proper-like, dinnae? I wonder if we're some experiment o' his... though my powers came only a few weeks ago, and he left me t' die years ago." 
Greenflame133
" I’m pretty sure magic comes from freedom, not the vail. " With that, Ember pulls out a telescopic horn made of thin sheets of tin, rolled into concentric cones. " I hope they don't have anyone keeping watch, but if they do. I think I can create some confusion. "

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Reading an acion to cast Ghost Sound at the door #4 as soon as one of the Lamms sounds an alarm. The door will be of a barking dog and a human striking the door with an axe. Disfelive DC 16
 
Kallimakus
The lock clicks open after less than a minute of Lilly picking it, opening the way into the derelict building. The stink in this room, a mixture of fish and sweat, is enough to make the eyes water. To the east, a large wooden trough holds a hideous mound of half-rancid fish, seaweed, and brine. Filthy river water and fish blood stain the floor around this trough. A pair of wooden chutes lead from this trough through holes in the eastern wall into a larger room beyond. To the west, a desk and chair sit in one corner while a tall cabinet sits in the other. It is about 20 by 30 feet in size. Doors to the North to the larger room and East that likely lead to the main street entrance are both locked. The chutes seem large enough to let a person through, but it looks like they are slippery and might facilitate a faster-than-desired transport to the next room.

From the North through the chute openings, some movement can be heard.
Yas392
  "You're suited for the backline. Asher, frontliner. The fighter picking the locks is Lilly. The gnome mage in the robe is Ember and street doctor's Vincent."  

Another healer who can injure with fire is helpful. A preventative to casualties and safety net. Asher gives a wistful smile when Xartan brings up Gaedren Lamm leaving him for the dead.

  "Seems that way. He left small fries alive and stomped on those who can bite his head off. Relatable. Now that I got you up to speed, Xartan, let's focus on getting in and go from there."  

He glances at Lilly fiddling with the lock with her pick before returning to eye contact with the newcomer.

  "While I explained our roles, I haven't gone through the skills. We'll demonstrate that in battle. A long-winded lecture's gonna attract Lamm's goons."  

Asher hears a click and Lilly opening the door.

  "There is our cue."  

The guardsman takes the lead. He looks into the interior to see a fish breeding room with locked doors and chutes that produces noises of movement. The foul smell staggers him yet he plants his fauchard on the ground to right himself. Thoughts of his daughter fuels his resolve to ignore the smell and unacceptable state of the room. Recovering, Asher waves his weapon at the doors and chutes.

  "We doing the safe way door by door or risk it all through those slopes?"  

The volume he used to spill out his words are whispers. He looks through the chutes.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 Perception:   (1d20)[ 16 ] 
 
Alhallor
 
 Originally Posted by Gyrfalcon 
 Vincent feels the hairs on the back of his neck prickle as Xartan describes his own experiences and his own explained powers.. The half-elf grunts to himself.  "Aye, Lamm has a fetish for not finishin' th' job proper-like, dinnae? I wonder if we're some experiment o' his... though my powers came only a few weeks ago, and he left me t' die years ago."  
 

 I doubt that this was... Planned by him in any way. Or we would be probably a bunch more. 

Xartan nods to Asher's instructions. The group seems to be pretty well-sown together.

 That's fine by me. I think we should go door by door. I can't imagine people were using these for transport. 

Xartan was used to some putrid smells, but he definitely needed to breath shallow in this environment.
Greenflame133
" My vote is room, but room, with any luck we catch vail men snoozing and slit his throat " Ember supports the statement by sliding the thumb across her neck, and then heads to doors across from one the group enter thought. " How about this way? "
Yas392
Asher shrugs and follows once the group decides on an approach. He steps aside for Lilly to do her lock-picking.
Tom Foolery
" I think we should give this room a quick search. Keys are quicker then lock picks. " Lily says as she heads to the desk to search it. Finding nothing Lily moves to the door leading deeper into the warehouse and starts to pick the lock.

 
 Spoiler: Disable Device, 
Disable Device: [roll]1d20+8[/roll]
 
Kallimakus
As they talk, search the room and try to pick the locks, they hear the creature in the lower room. Whatever was in there, small though it was, is making it's way towards the door on the North end of the room. One needs to climb into the slippery trough to get a view on what's going on there and coming their way.

(Which requires an Acrobatics check)
Greenflame133
Not a dextrose type Ember possession herself across the room, ready to strike the creature with a Ray of Frost
Yas392
  "No doubt they are coming. I heard Lamm's company are mostly humanoids. He might use children to snoop on us. I am letting them open the door for us and to our attacks. Stay beside me if you want protection. Holler if they sent a child so I can restrain myself."  

After whispering to the group, Asher hugs the walls beside the door, fauchard steel gleaming as he readies to strike the first enemy coming through unless the enemy is a child.
Alhallor
Xartan places himself at Asher's side, and briefly touches his shoulder,  It'll work out. filling him with a positive feeling.

 
 Spoiler 
Casting Virtue on Asher, giving him 1 temporary HP.
 
Yas392
Asher looks at the athletic members.

  "Would be helpful if someone can peek at who is coming our way so that we don't have to go in blind."  
Kallimakus
There is a growl beyond the door to the North. Then barks. Then all hell breaks loose. Commotion comes from both the Northern room, with loud swearing and children reacting with fright to the sudden wake-up, and from the east, much fainter. Heavy footsteps are headed for the Northern door, and those with keen ears can hear a jangle of keys.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
No surprise round here, but you're able to ready actions if you wish. The doorway provides cover from ranged attacks, and only two can fit to try and handle melee.
 
Greenflame133
Ember keeps guard. Changing from Ray of Frost to Snow Ball, seems they lost the element of surprise
Gyrfalcon
 "Sounds like some o' his mutts - two legged an' four - are coming."  Vincent mutters to the others as he takes a spot opposite Asher and his wicked fauchard, starknife at the ready and buckler angled to catch any wild swings in his direction.

his eyes glow golden for a moment, and he says in a voice free of the slums' accent  "Desna, hear the prayers of one of your dreamers. Bless us, that we may save these children." 
 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Vincent casts Bless on the party and stands ready with Asher to attack the first enemy through the door.

 Bless: 10 rounds remaining - +1 Morale to attack rolls and saves vs. fear 
 
Alhallor
Xartan readies himself should someone with a weapon open the northern door.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Readying Burning disarm. Reflex save against 15 if fail, doesn't let go of a held item and get  (1d4)[ 3 ]  fire damage because it has become hot.
 
Yas392
The enemy is fast. The insert and twisting of a key cause him to grip his spear with firmness as dedication and memories of his child becomes more apparent in his mind.

  Lora...  

Asher readies himself to attack the first enemy he sees as he hugs the wall and flanks with Vincent.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Readied action to attack enemy that comes through the door that is not a child.

 Attack:   (1d20+7)[ 11 ] 
 Damage:   (1d10+4)[ 6 ] 
 
Kallimakus
A half-orc unlocks the door. He wears an eyepatch, and an almost dopey smile on his face as he spots some intruders to beat up.  He holds on to his weapon, a flail with the spikes coated in matted blood. Even the heat doesn't make him drop the brutal weapon. One can only hope he doesn't hit the children with it.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 (1d20+1)[ 20 ]  Save vs Burning Disarm

For clarity, it takes a few rounds from the barking to the half-orc coming up.

The way that readied actions work, he uses his Standard Action to unlock the door, your readied actions interrupt the turn, and you go before the triggering creature, so now.
There was also the snowball coming.
 
Alhallor
When the door opens Xartan points at the half-orc and shouts letting his weapon become instantly hot.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
if I read the spell correctly he can now decide to drop his weapon or get the 3 fire damage I rolled earlier.  Burning disarm  link for easier access.
 


He then retreated a bit and called out to Vincent.

 His left side is open! 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Retreat a bit (move action)
another move action for combat advice (gives Vincent a +2 to hit for his next attack.)
 
Greenflame133
Ember throws a ball of ice, to halt the orc in place

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

readied action: snowball, disguised to look like ray of frost
To hit:  (d20+2)[ 15 ] 
DMG:  (1d6)[ 4 ] 
save DC: 16
 
Gyrfalcon
Working as an (unlicensed) healer, Vincent had had to get used to the idea that sometimes you had to harm a patient to save them. Some things had to be cut away before healing could begin. Which is why when the half-orc bruiser came through the door, Vincent swung his starknife without hesitation to cut out this piece of cancer eating at the city.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 

 Initiative -   (1d20+4)[ 23 ] 
 Readied Attack -   (1d20+5)[ 8 ]  /  Damage -    (1d4+4)[ 7 ] 
 Status Effects: Bless: 9 rounds remaining - +1 Morale to attack rolls and saves vs. fear
Staggered: Vincent can take 1 standard action this round 
 

   Vincent Foundling   
Male CG Half-elf (Human side: Varisian) Oracle (Pei-Zin Practioner),  Level  1,  Init  4,  HP  10/10,  Speed  (30') 20'
 AC  17,  Touch  12,  Flat-footed  15,  CMD  12,  Fort  1,  Ref  2,  Will  4,  CMB  0,  Base Attack Bonus  0
   Starknife   +4 (1d4+4, 20/x3)
   Armored Coat ,    Buckler  (+4 Armor, +1 Shield, +2 Dex)
 Abilities  Str 10, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 18
 Condition  Bless - +1 (morale) AR, +1 save  vs fear
Gyrfalcon
His first attack misses, and Vincent shakes off his moment of distraction to focus fully on the fight, swinging his starknife again at the bruiser.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics, Round 2 

 Attack on half-orc  -  (1d20+5)[ 16 ]  /  Damage:   (1d4+4)[ 7 ] 
 Status Effects: Bless: 8 rounds remaining - +1 Morale to attack rolls and saves vs. fear 
 
Yas392
As the half-orc does not enter the room at the eve of battle, Asher stands his ground and prepares to attack again once the enemy steps into the room.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 Readied Attack (+Flanking Bonus from Vincent and Morale Bonus from Bless):   (1d20+7)[ 10 ] 
 Damage:   (1d10+4)[ 8 ] 
 
Kallimakus
Lily holds off a moment, letting the orc-blood step into the room fully, swinging his flail, grinning through the pain. The icy spell doesn't deter him, but he is slowing down a little as Vincent scores a blow with his starknife. He avoids the blow from Asher, and swings his flail at Vincent.  "You'll pay for that!"  the half-orc titters, his grin finally melting a little. A small mangy cur comes at his heels, snapping at Asher.

There's noise from behind the eastern door too. Others are coming. Down in the Northern room, it appears that most of the children bunked there and are frightened and confused.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 
 (1d20+6)[ 7 ] ,  (1d8+3)[ 4 ]  Giggles the half-orc vs Vincent
 (1d20+2)[ 5 ] ,  (1d4+1)[ 4 ] Guard doggo vs Asher
 (1d20+5)[ 18 ] ,  (1d6+2)[ 4 ]  Lily vs the half-orc
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
We're obviously not using the old silly Snowball. So it doesn't have a save component, nor does it ignore SR. If that makes you wish to switch the spell, that is fine by me.
 
Gyrfalcon
Vincent doesn't even need to move to block the half-orc's attack as it goes wide, clanging against the wall next to him. Instead he lashes out with his starknife again.  "Surrender, and we don't have to kill 'ya."  he says, though he's not pulling his strikes.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 

Poor half-orc rolled snake eyes on both to hit and damage. Let's hope Vincent does better!

 Attack on Half-Orc -  -  (1d20+5)[ 22 ]  |  Damage -   (1d4+4)[ 8 ] 

Status Effects: Bless: 7 rounds remaining - +1 Morale to attack rolls and saves vs. fear
 
Yas392
Asher slashes with his fauchard at the dog and half-orc the moment they step into the room and into his range. When the dog lunges at him and the guardsman sidesteps its fang, he steps back and retaliates with a swing at the animal. He nods at Vincent's declaration.

  "Drop your weapons, leash your pet and we'll let you live."  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
5 ft step from dog to attack it or not if Dog is killed by attack of opportunity in which he will direct his attack on the half-orc.

 Attack of Opportunity vs Half-Orc:   (1d20+7)[ 10 ] 
 Attack of Opportunity vs Dog:   (1d20+7)[ 10 ] 
 Normal Attack vs Dog:   (1d20+5)[ 20 ] 
 Damage vs Half-Orc:   (1d10+4)[ 11 ] 
 Damage vs Dog:   (1d10+4)[ 13 ] 
 Damage vs Dog:   (1d10+4)[ 14 ] 

Asher has combat reflexes. Even if he has lower initiative than enemies and flat-footed the first turn, their movements provoke attack of opportunities from him when they move into the room.
 
Kallimakus
Between Asher and Vincent, they take down both the half orc and the mangy cur they had guarding the place. The half-orc is heavily wounded, his orc-blooded single-mindedness keeping him conscious, but he drops his weapon, the odds clearly not in his favor.

Lily heads to guard the other door while Ember and Xartan keep their position able to tackle either direction. The door on the East side is unlocked, and two other foes enter the room. A smaller creature, gnome or halfling, and a human man, middle aged, in a nightie, holding a wand. He attempts to activate it while his companion holds the door

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 
 (1d20+5)[ 13 ] ,  (1d6+2)[ 4 ]  Lily's attack
 (1d20)[ 6 ]  Use Magic Device
 
Yas392
Asher moves to slash at the wand wielder.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 Attack:   (1d20+5)[ 17 ] 
 Damage:   (1d10+4)[ 14 ] 
 
Greenflame133
Ember will target the magic user with yet another snowball, disguised to look like a less dangerous ray of frost.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

to hit  (d20+2)[ 8 ] 
dmg  (1d6)[ 4 ] 
 
Gyrfalcon
With his companion dealing with the mage, Vincent leaves the half-orc to try to staunch his bleeding wounds and moves to attack the gnome or halfling directly.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 

Move to the gnome and attack with his starknife.

 Starknife  -  (1d20+5)[ 10 ]  /  (1d4+4)[ 5 ] 

Status Effects: Bless: 6 rounds remaining - +1 Morale to attack rolls and saves vs. fear
 

   Vincent Foundling   
Male CG Half-elf (Human side: Varisian) Oracle (Pei-Zin Practioner),  Level  1,  Init  4,  HP  10/10,  Speed  (30') 20'
 AC  17,  Touch  12,  Flat-footed  15,  CMD  12,  Fort  1,  Ref  2,  Will  4,  CMB  0,  Base Attack Bonus  0
   Starknife   +4 (1d4+4, 20/x3)
   Armored Coat ,    Buckler  (+4 Armor, +1 Shield, +2 Dex)
 Abilities  Str 10, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 18
 Condition  Bless - +1 (morale) AR, +1 save  vs fear
Alhallor
Xartan steps towards the orc and points with his burned hand accusingly at him.  Stop! Give up and we may spare you, scum! 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move action, move towards the half-orc
Standard action, Intimidate:  (1d20+8)[ 26 ] 
 