Igfig: You have been summoned to the private office of one Baron Trelib d'Medani
Igfig: of House Medani
Vess: Is it raining?
Lakanu: Always
Adam_The_Human: don't be silly, of course
Slim_Bankshot: Red
Igfig: a middle-aged half-elf, graying, bit of a paunch, but piercing, searching eyes
Igfig: It is raining.
Igfig: His office is spartan but elegant.
Lakanu: Just how I like it
Vess: I am wearing my pit fighter armor
Vess: and nothing else
Vess: rain drips off my bare scalp
Vess: and pools around my bare feet.
Slim_Bankshot: Sorry guys. We are conspiring
Adam_The_Human: I am Changeling'd into Deckard from Blade Runner
Vess: Hes a replicant! Retire him!
Arwia: I am (insert proper description for a psiforged).
Adam_The_Human: If anyone's a replicant, it's those two
Lakanu: I am...that
Igfig: a warforged with crystals embedded in its body
Slim_Bankshot: OK, I am the Baron, then.
Adam_The_Human: So a normal warforged, but Bedazzled
Igfig: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/2711993771_139a2fd05f.jpg
Slim_Bankshot: "Hello gentlemen." (How many are there at the moment?)
Adam_The_Human: four
Slim_Bankshot: "Thank you for seeing me on such short notice. I'm afraid it is a circumstance most dire and quite urgent."
Lakanu: Always a pleasure to come up here. Makes a change from the cogs
Adam_The_Human: "Of course. What circumstances are those, exactly?"
Vess: *blank stare*
Slim_Bankshot: "First, you must give me your word that what I am about to tell you is to remain in the utmost confidence."
Vess: *blank stare*
Adam_The_Human nods
Slim_Bankshot: *he stares at Vess coldly*
Vess: *Vess stares back unblinking*
Slim_Bankshot: "If you do, it shall benefit you greatly. If not, I will be forced to kill you."
Slim_Bankshot: "Anyway,"
Slim_Bankshot: "The situation is this."
Slim_Bankshot: "My daughter,  Zelina, has gone missing."
Adam_The_Human: "And you want us to track her down, is that it?"
Slim_Bankshot: "She is a  Medani inquisitive and vanished 3 days ago while investigating another matter entirely."
Slim_Bankshot: "Yes."
Arwia: "Why us?"
Slim_Bankshot: "And, obviously, it is required that you deliver her unharmed."
Lakanu: Well, we'll see what happens
Lakanu: WWhat does this dame look like?"
Adam_The_Human: "Of course. What's the payment?"
Lakanu: (I said dame. Hard boiled)
Slim_Bankshot: "I cannot afford to use other  Medani inquisitives as it would have an undesirable effect on other matters."
Slim_Bankshot: "Which do not concern you."
Vess: Why me?
Adam_The_Human: "So let's get this straight, you want us to find her, bring her back unharmed, and all on the hush hush?"
Lakanu: Someone who has insight should probably do it
Arwia: Yar I was thinking that.
Arwia: Insight check time:
Arwia: 1d20+10
Fortuna: Arwia, 1d20+10: [17] = 27
Adam_The_Human: Well there you go
Igfig: What's that insight check for?
Lakanu: A sense motive kind of thing, probably
Adam_The_Human: Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I was just asking a question.
Igfig: what about?
Lakanu: See what the baron's intentions are
Arwia: To see if I can figure out...  possible reasons for choosing us and why not Medani inquistives.
Adam_The_Human: Don't dip your pen in company ink?
Igfig: He's fairly hard to read
Vess: See if he is playing us/
Slim_Bankshot: (Sorry, phone. Here now)
Igfig: but he does sound genuinely concerned about his daughter
Arwia: Well that's good enough for me then.
Adam_The_Human: Yeah, let's get her last known whereabouts and get going
Slim_Bankshot: OK, FYI guys, fairly soon I have to leave and help with some things. Shouldn't be long, but I'll be very much not-here.
Igfig: and it sounds like the problem with Medani inquisitives has to do with something internal
Arwia: We'll finish up this conversation up quick like for you then, yar.
Igfig: as in, House politics-related
Adam_The_Human takes out notepad.
Lakanu: WWhat does she look like, who are her friends, and where was she last seen?"
Igfig: "She looks much like me, but younger.  And female."
Vess: vague.
Igfig: (I don't know how to describe someone in detail)
Vess: (find a picture)
Igfig: good idea
Lakanu: We're being hard boiled, so say "Nice yams"
Arwia: That doesn't seem like something one would say about their daughter.
Adam_The_Human writes "Female Half-Elf, Young, Piercing Eyes"
Igfig: can't find a good picture on short notice
Vess: pretend to
Adam_The_Human: eh, that's fine for now. It's text, we'll be fine
Arwia: We'll know her when you tell us we do.
Igfig: she'd be in her late twenties-early thirties, except in half-elf years
Adam_The_Human: "Do you know her usual hangouts, and where she was last seen?"
Igfig: dark-haired, beautiful in a forceful way
Igfig: "She disappeared while investigating a theft.  A statue of a basilisk, made of silver."
Igfig: "Stolen from this very house."
Lakanu: I see where this is going. Peter Lorre did it
Adam_The_Human: "She disappeared here?"
Lakanu: ...
Igfig: "No.  She was looking into the silversmiths and fences of the Lower City
Igfig: brb phone
Igfig: back
Lakanu: "I guess that's where we start."
Adam_The_Human: "Do you know the names of any of the last silversmith she visited?"
Adam_The_Human: (That was worded poorly)
Igfig: "She mentioned that she also spoke to the Watch concerning the prison break of two weeks ago.  I don't know what the connection is, if any."
Lakanu: "It must be relevant, during an inquisition. We'll ask after her there"
Slim_Bankshot: As I said, this is where I depart for a short while
Slim_Bankshot: Back soon as I can be
Igfig: "I don't know where she was last, but I do have a list of the places she visited."
Igfig: He hands you a folded piece of paper.
Adam_The_Human: I'm taking notes for real, so just pm it to me
Igfig: It's about twenty names, some of people, some of silver shops
Igfig: Anyone got Streetwise?
Adam_The_Human: eh, I've got +5. Anyone beat that?
Lakanu: Mine's as low as It could poddibly be
Arwia: I definitely cannot.
Lakanu: possibly
Lakanu: +2. Yay
Adam_The_Human: Alright, I'll roll it.
Igfig: ...A noir campaign may not have been a good idea
Adam_The_Human: 1d20+5 Streetwise
Fortuna: Adam_The_Human, Streetwise: [7] = 12
Arwia: Or I could switch character, my shade character has good streetwise.
Arwia: We haven't done too much yet.
Igfig: That might be a good idea
Adam_The_Human: Being streetwise isn't my strong suit. I'm good at infiltrating places, pretending to work there for extended periods of time, then murdering a dude in ideal circumstances
Igfig: considering the role of Streetwise in investigation
Vess: I could use my rogue
Vess: he has streetwise and such I think
Igfig: You recognize, uh, two of the names on the list, Adam
Igfig: Rearrange your characters if you like
Adam_The_Human: I'll keep Adam
Adam_The_Human: I recognize two names, any places?
Arwia: If Hero switches then I won't cause my insight would probably be handy, if Hero doesn't want to then it probably would be better if I did.
Igfig: The names belong to two fences of the Lower City, same district
Arwia: So leaving it up to you Hero, Vess, Pie, other name.
Igfig: the places... you don't know much about silver smithies, no
Arwia: Either way we're off, and since we're off, music:
Adam_The_Human: Okay
Arwia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vax75z0Q_7w
Vess: +10 street on my rogue
Vess: 12 stealth and 14 theivery
Adam_The_Human: eh, that music is too peppy
Igfig: If you'd like to switch and try it, go ahead
Vess: alright, though some of those numbers are off
Arwia: My shade has +11 street, +20 stealth, and +11 thievery.
Vess: has 6 trained skills for some reason
Adam_The_Human: Do we really need two +20 stealth characters in the party?
Arwia: Probably not.
Adam_The_Human: there we go
Merric: I am now a dashing rogue.
Arwia: So I shan't be switching then, I'll keep my insight about.
Merric: with a ridiculous hat.
Igfig: right
Merric: 1d20+10 street
Fortuna: Merric, street: [11] = 21
Igfig: You recognize a bunch of the names
Merric: Also I am a halfling.
Merric: Movers and shakers.
Arwia: As to the music, well, not sure if any Timesplitters music would work better, sides the horror levels maybe, but I'm on a timesplitters music kick at the moment so ah well.
Igfig: both people and places
Adam_The_Human: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYulGZoz7eE
Igfig: you recognize a few in a row as being all on the same street, in that order
Merric: hmmm.
Lakanu: I guess that's where we start
Arwia: I think that one is a bit too light for noir, hmmm..
Igfig: they all appear to be in the same district of the city
Adam_The_Human: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw1qi9ofbg4&feature=related
Merric: Maybe she had a lead on the statue.
Merric: knew where it had been taken.
Merric: maybe she got too close to the answers
Lakanu: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoooscPFiyc
Adam_The_Human: Then let's find out what she knew
Merric: right.
Igfig: Right on.
Lakanu: Or maybe someone has it in for House Medani(?)
Merric: With a flourish I doff my hat and bow low to the half elf
Merric: We shall bring your daughter back, safe and sound my lord.
Igfig: He nods in return.
Adam_The_Human tips his hat, and walks out the door.
Merric saunters out.
Igfig: "I am glad to hear that."
Arwia curtsies and follows.
Igfig: "Gentlemen."
Igfig: and he motions you out.
Igfig: slash allows you to leave
Lakanu leaves last, gazing at the baron suspiciously
Merric smiles at slash
Adam_The_Human: So we get a cab to the Lower City?
Igfig: Sure.
Merric: A round of investigation, before dinner?
Merric: I am aghast.
Adam_The_Human: Dinner can wait, shortstuff
Merric sighs
Arwia: And not all of us eat.
Merric: no good can come of running about on an empty stomache
Merric: and you are the poorer for it.
Merric: very well then.
Arwia: Maybe you can pick something up from a stand on the way there?
Merric: Off to the lower city, the grumbles of my poor stomache are my only companion.
Merric: a STAND?
Adam_The_Human: This time of night, in the rain? Doubtful
Merric: my delicate constitution could not stand such a thing.
Igfig: It's not night yet
Igfig: early afternoon
Igfig: but raining
Adam_The_Human: A stand in the rain? Doubtful
Lakanu: I offer Merric a cigarette
Igfig: that is true
Merric: I politely decline.
Adam_The_Human: I take it instead
Lakanu shrugs, showing a lack of understanding about organics
Igfig: Right.  You make your way back to the Lower City.
Adam_The_Human: Lead the way, Merric. You're the one who recognized the people on the list.
Igfig: The district known as Ashblack
Lakanu: I like it already
Igfig: er, wiat
Igfig: oops
Adam_The_Human: Ashblack is in the Cogs
Igfig: yeah
Igfig: screw it, now it isn't
Adam_The_Human: works for me
Arwia: This is Upper Ashblack.
Igfig: yeah
Igfig: It's a grimy place, black from the soot of forge-fires and the deeds of the back alleyways
Merric: ughh, this place has always played havoc on my wardrobe.
Igfig: The people who live here are usually immigrants, criminals, or both
mib_cdpomy joined #pwot_dnd.
Adam_The_Human looks around warily
Igfig: people who came to make their fortune in the big city
mib_cdpomy quit.
Igfig: and got kicked down into the depths for their trouble
Igfig: who was that?
Arwia: Not a clue.
Merric: *shrug*
Adam_The_Human: no clue
MiloMagnus joined #pwot_dnd.
Igfig: Anyway, now that you're here.
Igfig: What next?
Merric: The first name on the list
Lakanu: What's our style?
Lakanu: Rough up? Coerce?
MiloMagnus: I would be threatening
Merric: Depends who we are seeing
Lakanu: I lean towards roughing up
MiloMagnus: get some tight leather straps to hold him in a chair, and walk over to him really slowly, the lamps shadow cutting out the top half of my body
MiloMagnus: yes roughing up
Adam_The_Human: No need for roughing up unless he does something to deserve it.
Igfig: Sure.  "Sharp's", a smithy of little repute.
Arwia: 1d20+10
Fortuna: Arwia, 1d20+10: [13] = 23
Slim_Bankshot: Fortuna you sexy bitch!
Fortuna: Excuse me?
Igfig: fuck you fortuna
Fortuna: Well, I never!
Slim_Bankshot: Never have I ever
Igfig: You determine that I am actually Igfig, pretending to be Waffle pretending to be Igfig.
Igfig: Or am I?
Adam_The_Human: Adam_The_Human walks up, and puts his hands on the counter. 20:23	Merric	I walk up next to him with a beaming smile. 20:24	MiloMagnus	I stick to the back 20:24		Lakanu closes the shop door, flips the sign to closed, and stands in front of it, arms crossed 20:24		*** Fortuna quit (Ping timeout) 20:24	Adam_The_Human	"Sharp the silversmith? Name's Adam, freelanc
Adam_The_Human: Name's Adam, freelance inquisitive. Would you mind if we asked you a few simple questions?" 20:24	MiloMagnus	my face covered by my fedora 20:24	Arwia	Uh oh. 20:24	Merric	"just a little this and that you know" 20:25	Merric	"by the way, how is your old wife sharp?"
Merric: "Is her foot still troubling her?"
Igfig: The last thing I saw was
Igfig: MiloMagnus: get some tight leather straps to hold him in a chair, and walk over to him really slowly, the lamps shadow cutting out the top half of my body MiloMagnus: yes roughing up Adam_The_Human: No need for roughing up unless he does something to deserve it. Igfig: Sure.  "Sharp's", a smithy of little repute.
Adam_The_Human: What I just said happened right after that
Igfig: okay
MiloMagnus: I accussed someone of murdering you
MiloMagnus: we immediately set upon waffle
Arwia: So.
Adam_The_Human: They're probably collaborating or something
Igfig: Wasn't Slim saying something?
Slim_Bankshot: No. Sorry.
Igfig: Oh
Arwia: He was also talking about someone (Waffle) having murdered you.
Igfig: I was just getting my things in order
Igfig: ah
MiloMagnus: getting your things in order?
MiloMagnus: say
Slim_Bankshot: Unless you thought I was actually playing Never Have I Ever
MiloMagnus: why would you be getting your things in order if you didn't know yo uwere going to be 
MiloMagnus: "murdered?"
Igfig: okay yes I admit it I was the murderer all along
Igfig: the mystery was the meta-mystery of who killed the DM
Igfig: and it was me, the DM all along
Adam_The_Human: OF COURSE IT ALL MAKES SENSE so let's get back to the game
Igfig: yes
Arwia: I've heard of Killer DMs, but that is ridiculous.
Igfig: Slim, you want to take Sharp or shall I?
Igfig: assuming this silence is actual silence and not mibbit madness, guess I will then
Adam_The_Human: guess that means you
Igfig: "Questions?  Yes, of course... what kinds of questions do you want to ask me about?  Er, I mean..."
Merric: Deep breath my friend.
Merric: Nothing to be bothered about.
Slim_Bankshot: Yes, sorry. My mom started talking to me
Adam_The_Human: "Recently, a woman has gone missing in the area. Zelina, a half-elf inquisitive. Did you see her, or perhaps hear of her recently?"
Igfig: "An inquisitive?  There was... I mean, a woman, an inquisitive, came here the other day, asking a lot of questions."
Igfig: "So yes?"
Merric: I see
Merric: And what sort of things did she ask you about my good man?
Merric: (my chin is only just above the counter.
Merric: )
MiloMagnus: I pick Merric up and plop him on the counter
Merric am aghast at your awful manners
Igfig: "S-stolen goods?  If I had any.  She wanted to look at my melting crucibles."
Igfig: (A crucible is what you melt metal in, right?)
Lakanu: yes
Adam_The_Human: "And what did you tell her?"
Merric: interesting.
Merric: Not very subtle was she? hmmm.
MiloMagnus: I watch her face closely
MiloMagnus: for signs of doubting
Merric: (sharp is an older gentleman)
Igfig: "I didn't have much to say. I'm an honest businessman, I try not to get into that sort of thing..."
Merric: hahaha
MiloMagnus: (my perception is quite poor)
Lakanu: "So she had stolen goods?"
Adam_The_Human: "And did she say where she was going next?"
MiloMagnus: WAIT
MiloMagnus: I press the doubt button
Merric: Oh sharp, you don't need to lie to me, I am not with the authorities.
Igfig: "But I gave her the names of a few people nearby who might know something about it."
Merric: I press the believe button
Adam_The_Human: "If you'd give us those names, it would be much appreciated."
Lakanu: I press the intuition point button
Igfig: "I... yes, of course."  He haltingly gives you some names.  They match the next few on the list.
Merric: Very good then.
Merric: "Give my regards to your wife then Mr. Sharp."
Merric: Alright everyone, out out.
Igfig: He looks stricken.  "Thank you, I will."
Merric begins ushering the group out the door.
Merric: Ah! (turns around) One more thing mr sharp.
Lakanu quit.
Merric: I lean in close, putting on my brightest smile.
Merric: Not a word of our visit, or of this young lady to anyone else.
Igfig: "Y-yes?"
Merric: I shall know if you tell.
Merric: I hold up a finger
Merric: And you shant like us to return here.
Igfig: He nods jerkily.
Merric: Good day.
Merric strides out
Adam_The_Human: I'm last out, and as I close the door, I stick my head in, and say, "And by the way... don't leave town. Wouldn't show you in the best light, would it?" Then I follow the rest.
MiloMagnus: I come out of the bathroom and realize everyone else is gone
Merric hums a merry tune.
Igfig: The next name on the list is, as it happens, the closest of all of them
Slim_Bankshot: OK,
Adam_The_Human: let us go there
Igfig: just a block away
Igfig: the next one after that is three blocks away
Igfig: the next one after that is two blocks away, but close to its predecessor
Arwia: Wow, must make for interesting competition within the silver industry.
Igfig: well, A. these aren't all smiths
Igfig: this next guy is a fence
Adam_The_Human: So we need to be more discreet
Igfig: some of these names are just informants
Adam_The_Human: Anyone have a Bluff higher than 12?
Adam_The_Human: or am I taking point again?
Merric: I am right behing you
Igfig: and B. remember that you can fit a lot into a block here, since everything is towers.
Merric: my able friend.
Arwia: My charisma is that of a crying baby.
Adam_The_Human: So just me then, alright. Let's visit this fence
Igfig: Sure.
Merric:  I have a solid 10 bluff
Igfig: Are you planning on visiting each person on this list?
Merric: until we find something concrete
Adam_The_Human: Until we find a better lead, at least.
Arwia: This could take a while.
Igfig: Okay.
Adam_The_Human: just a heads up, what race is this next guy, human? Elf?
Slim_Bankshot: Human
Slim_Bankshot: Wait. No. Elf
Slim_Bankshot: Is Adam special somehow?
Adam_the_Elf: Changeling
Arwia: He's a changeling.
Slim_Bankshot: Neat
Igfig quit.
Arwia: Darn.
Adam_the_Elf: uuuuuugh
Slim_Bankshot: I'm the next guy anyway
Igfig joined #pwot_dnd.
Slim_Bankshot: Tell me when you get there
Slim_Bankshot: You gonna make it, Ig?
Arwia: Um, we're here?
Arwia: Maybe.
Merric: Certainly, I know this fellow.
Igfig: I'm good
Arwia: Or there.
Merric: A horrible little weasel.
Merric: but he will buy just about anything, and sell it too.
Slim_Bankshot: One sec guys
Slim_Bankshot: OK,
Slim_Bankshot: In the shop you arrive at,
Slim_Bankshot: there is a very displeased looking elf sitting behind a well kept counter
MiloMagnus: What's got you down sir?
Adam_the_Elf: I walk up to the counter, and look around warily
Slim_Bankshot: He looks at Adam and nods, glancing at the others with disdain
Merric: I flash him a winning smile.
Adam_the_Elf: "I've heard talk that this is the place to pass on some... undesirable items. Would that rumor have any truth to it?"
Slim_Bankshot: "That depends on how you define undesirable."
Slim_Bankshot: "I would never sell a low quality item, if that's what you're implying."
Slim_Bankshot: "And if it is, I suggest you take leave now."
Slim_Bankshot: He's an elf, so automatically kindof a pretentious dick.
Igfig: well, eberron elves are more vicious than pretentious, but sure
Adam_the_Elf: I pull a dagger out of my coat, and place it delicately on the counter. "I'm not looking to buy, I'm looking to sell. This came from The Vaults up in Korranath. Ancient Eladrin, still as sharp as the day it was forged."
Adam_the_Elf: bluff check, since it's just an ordinary dagger?
Slim_Bankshot: He picks it up without asking and begins to examine it carefully
Slim_Bankshot: I think so, yes
Adam_the_Elf: 1d20+12
Fortuna: Adam_the_Elf, 1d20+12: [10] = 22
Slim_Bankshot: What the crap?
Adam_the_Elf: "It may not be the prettiest thing, but I'll guarantee it's age. And authenticity."
Slim_Bankshot: (any extended silence is ig and I brainstorming. Be patient)
Slim_Bankshot: d20+10
Adam_the_Elf: gotta put the 1
Slim_Bankshot:  1d20+10
Fortuna: Slim_Bankshot,  1d20+10: [16] = 26
MiloMagnus: 1d20+10
Fortuna: MiloMagnus, 1d20+10: [3] = 13
Igfig: that was the guy's "Knowledge: Craftsmanship" check
Slim_Bankshot: THe elf examines the dagger closely. Becoming increasingly skeptical.
Merric: I edge nervously away from adam, my hand hovering near my sword.
Slim_Bankshot: "I'm disappointed. I would expect another elf to show the same knowledge of artifacts and not believe he possessed such a weapon when he did not." 
Adam_the_Elf: mock surprise "It's not the real thing? That security guard has some explaining to do... *sigh* Well, while I'm here..."
Slim_Bankshot: "Or perhaps. Perhaps you really do know. Why are you REALLY here?"
Adam_the_Elf smirks.
Slim_Bankshot: He drops the dagger on the counter and looks at you.
Adam_the_Elf: "A silver Basilisk statue. I heard you might be the person to talk to."
Slim_Bankshot: "From who?"
Merric: just a friend.
Adam_the_Elf: "I represent a prospective buyer who wishes to remain anonymous. He very much wants the statue. If you don't have it, then I have been instructed to find out where it is."
Slim_Bankshot: "And tell me. What was your friends name?"
Adam_the_Elf: Another bluff check, I assume?
Slim_Bankshot: If you don't want to tell him the name
Arwia: Roll away.
Adam_the_Elf: I meant bluff as in I made that whole thing up, but okay
Adam_the_Elf: 1d20+12 bluff
Fortuna: Adam_the_Elf, bluff: [19] = 31
Slim_Bankshot: OK, you made the whole thing up?
Adam_the_Elf: Yes
Slim_Bankshot: The whole basilisk thing, or just the friend bit?
Adam_the_Elf: Just trying to find out if he has it, or if he knows where it is. Whoever has the statue doesn't want to be found, so that's who kidnapped Zelina
Arwia: We're just kinda skipping over the whole him asking for a name thing.
Arwia: Cause then we won't have to answer.
Adam_the_Elf: Zelina was looking for the Basilisk, and we're looking for her, so find the Basilisk=find the girl
Slim_Bankshot: Anyway, you totally passed that check
Adam_the_Elf: bluff rules
Slim_Bankshot: So, you just asked him if he knew about the statue? Not who told you about him?
Adam_the_Elf: I asked if he had the statue, and if he didn't have it, if he knew who might
Adam_the_Elf: under the guise of buying it from him
Slim_Bankshot: "A silver basilisk statue?"
Adam_the_Elf: "Yes."
Slim_Bankshot: "An oddly specific request."
Slim_Bankshot: "No. I don't have it. ... I mean one."
Slim_Bankshot: "I don't have one."
Adam_the_Elf narrows his eyes
MiloMagnus quit.
Arwia: "Who does?"
Adam_the_Elf: "And if you don't have one, do you know where I might acquire one?"
Merric: (someone wanna insight that line?)
Igfig: You barely need insight for that
Slim_Bankshot: He thinks for  minutes.
Slim_Bankshot: "No." 
Merric: 1d20+1 on lies
Fortuna: Merric, on lies: [13] = 14
Slim_Bankshot: In a tone as if he had to pick that answer out of multiple choices.
Adam_the_Elf: the check to leap across the counter, slam him against the wall, and put a dagger up to his throat is acrobatics, right?
Merric: "Ahem"
Merric: "Gentlemen, close the door would you."
Merric: "lock it"
Slim_Bankshot: "You don't want to do that."
Merric: "Oh?"
Arwia uses Mage Hand to close and lock the door from where she is.
Merric: "What makes you say that?"
Arwia: She pauses in doing it before finishing.
Arwia: Paused before she could finish, that's more proper.
Slim_Bankshot: "Don't you know? Never challenge someone to a fight in their own home."
Merric: "Don't you know, I never challenge anyone, I simply do."
Adam_the_Elf: I do that thing I said
Merric: I draw my sword.
Slim_Bankshot: What thing?
Igfig: That's acrobatics, followed by initiative
Merric: 23:40	Adam_the_Elf	the check to leap across the counter, slam him against the wall, and put a dagger up to his throat is acrobatics, right?
Slim_Bankshot: Oh. That
Adam_the_Elf: 1d20+14 acrobatics;1d20+7 initiative
Fortuna: Adam_the_Elf, acrobatics: [12] = 26; initiative: [17] = 24
Merric: 1d20+7 init
Fortuna: Merric, init: [13] = 20
Igfig: I think that's successful
Igfig: Considering that excellent degree of success there, this probably isn't about to become a fight.
Adam_the_Elf: dagger against his neck, "Now you're going to want to rethink your answer carefully. Where. Is. The Baslisk?"
Merric: I beam him another smile.
Slim_Bankshot: OK then. You leap across the counter in a single bound, planting a knee in his chest and knocking him flat on his back. You land with a foot on his arm and your knife to his throat
Merric: I leap up onto his counter.
Merric: Brandishing my weapon at the walls.
Arwia: I finish locking the door with mage hand.
Merric: looking dandy.
Slim_Bankshot: "You're faster than you look."
Slim_Bankshot: He remains calm.
Merric: "He is second fastest."
Slim_Bankshot: "You don't really want the snake, do you?"
Igfig: (psst.  That's Harry Potter.)
Slim_Bankshot: "You wouldn't attempt such a thing over a hunk of silver."
Slim_Bankshot: Oh whatever.
Slim_Bankshot: Same thing.
Adam_the_Elf: "I think you know that I would. Have you ever heard of Greenblood Oil?"
Slim_Bankshot: "If I have?"
Adam_the_Elf: "Then you'll know what a dagger coated in the stuff will do to a person." I glance at the dagger at his neck.
Slim_Bankshot: "So you conclude that killing me will give you answers?"
Merric is humming a jaunty tune.
Slim_Bankshot: "Second fastest, far from second smartest."
Adam_the_Elf smiles. 
Merric: I belive the desire to remain alive will grant us answers
Adam_the_Elf: "Killing you isn't what I had in mind."
Slim_Bankshot: "First, tell me why you're here."
Merric: To have you answer questions.
Merric: Nothing more that you need to know.
Adam_the_Elf: "You're not exactly one to be making demands here. Tell us where the basilisk is, and you'll never hear from us again."
Slim_Bankshot: "Information for information. Seems fair."
Merric: How about information for remaining in the world of the living, seems generous.
Slim_Bankshot: "Perhaps."
Slim_Bankshot: "So, you want the chunk of silver? Why the hell does everyone want it?"
Slim_Bankshot: "Is it somehow special?"
Merric: Who knows? Who cares? Where is it?
Slim_Bankshot: "You know. I care. Not here."
Adam_the_Elf: "Just give us a name. A location."
Slim_Bankshot: "Get off me first."
Slim_Bankshot: "I can't think straight with my head sideways."
Merric: Learn how.
Merric: quickly.
Slim_Bankshot: brb guys
Adam_the_Elf: "Saying a name doesn't require much thought."
Slim_Bankshot: "Alright, fine."
Slim_Bankshot: "You win. You miserable..."
Slim_Bankshot: He directs you to your next destination. Only a name of a place.
Merric A smile and a bow.
Merric: "Wonderful doing business with you."
Adam_the_Elf: Is it possible to just auto-KO someone by hitting them with the hilt of the dagger?
Igfig: Uh... "Shining Star Silver" is the place
Slim_Bankshot: Maybe a blow to the temple.
Igfig: and nope, but you could make a coup de grace here
Igfig: which is an automatic crit
Merric: Do you want to kill him?
Igfig: with your assassin's strike, that's probably enough to knock him out cold
Adam_the_Elf: hmm, does an critical hit max out damage on added damage, like assassin's strike?
Igfig: yep
Slim_Bankshot: Killing him can't hurt, can it?
Merric: well, you could choose to not kill him actually
Slim_Bankshot: He gave you information
Merric: that is always an option.
Merric: take him to 0 and knock him out.
Igfig: yeah, you can choose whether or not to kill someone you drop
Igfig: and slim, presumably he gave Zelira information too
Adam_the_Elf: because if I do coup de grace, add assassin's strike, that's 4+10+20+8
Igfig: yeah that's enough
Adam_the_Elf: so 42 damage
Igfig: definitely
Adam_the_Elf: and if it wasn't there's always Death Attack
Igfig: indeed
Adam_the_Elf: Okay, so he's dead, because I'm an assassin and that's how I roll.
Merric sigh
Merric: We should really try not to leave a trail of bodies in our wake.
Merric: it makes for a bad reputation.
Igfig: yup
Adam_the_Elf: Hmm, that's true
Adam_the_Elf: Fine, fine
Adam_the_Elf: subtract the 10 poison damage from that then
Adam_the_Elf: 32 damage to knock him out
Slim_Bankshot: Or maybe it can hurt. Whatever.
Igfig: okay
Igfig: he is unconscious
Igfig: what next?
Merric: search the place.
Adam_the_Elf: We go to "Shining Star Silver"
Merric: look for clues
Merric: I never trust a fence, and elf even less.
Igfig: Perception check to search
Merric: 1d20+1
Fortuna: Merric, 1d20+1: [12] = 13
Merric: the rest of you as well
Igfig: You find... not a whole lot, Merric
Adam_the_Elf: 1d20+2
Fortuna: Adam_the_Elf, 1d20+2: [2] = 4
Adam_the_Elf: I find less
Arwia: 1d20+5
Fortuna: Arwia, 1d20+5: [10] = 15
Arwia: Wow, my passive perception score.
Igfig: nothing obvious having to do with the basilisk or the inquisitive
Merric: off we go then.
Adam_The_Human: Yep
Igfig: and wherever the goods are that he fences, they're better hidden than your quick search reveals.
Arwia: Indeed.
Igfig: Okay.
Merric: Leaving the fence tied to a chair.
Merric: A little note as well.
Adam_The_Human: I leave a candle on the counter, next to the note
Merric: It says: "Say nothing to anyone, or say nothing forever."
Igfig: The place is over on the east side of the district and up a little, so a bit of a walk
Igfig: As you get close... Arwia, you notice a familiar name on a sign
Arwia: Interesting.
Igfig: The last name on the list. On a pawn shop not two blocks from your destination.
Merric: These names have been in order so far.
Merric: That would be the last place she visited.
Merric: significant? or mundane?
Arwia: Why do I recognize this name?
Igfig: you all looked over the list, and you have a high enough passive perception to notice this
Igfig: notice the sign, I mean
Adam_The_Human: Either way, we should probably check it out just in case
Arwia: Since it caught my notice.
Igfig: Merric, you don't see any other likely places between here and Shining Star
Igfig: also, that's kind of a wird reason
Arwia: What is this place?
Igfig: *weird
Merric: well, shining star silver probably isn't going anywhere.
Igfig: aye, I'm just saying
Arwia: One can only learn if they investigate, and Arwia worships I think Aureon is the god with the knowledge domain in Eberron.
Adam_The_Human: Let's check it out. One of you wanna take the lead on this one?
Merric: Arwia's turn then.
Adam_The_Human: I'm feeling sneaky
Igfig: if Zelira was at the pawn shop last, then Shining Star Silver was the closest place after that
Arwia: I lead the way in then and approach the counter of what is this place called?
Igfig: "The Pawn Shop"
Merric: I saunter in, beaming a smile at everyone and everything.
Arwia: Impressive name.
Adam_The_Human: I stand sentry outside
Arwia: No possible way to mistake what this building is.
Igfig: An overweight shifter behind the counter looks over at you.  "Yeah?"  he growls.
Adam_The_Human: I walk in, pretending to be a random customer. I look around at the merchandise.
Arwia: "Excuse me, I'm looking for a friend.  She said she was going to be looking for silverwork around here when I last saw her."
Igfig: An old lamp, glazed with something blue, catches your eye, Adam.
Igfig: lamp as in table lamp, not genie lamp
Adam_The_Human: Right, an oil lamp?
Igfig: "Lots of folk looking for silverware around here.  You buying anything?"
Arwia: "No, just looking for my friend.  I haven't seen her since."
Igfig: could be oil, could be the Light spell, could be whatever you put in it
Igfig: it's a nice lamp
Adam_The_Human: Sounds fancy, but I think I'm only pretending to look at merchandise while listening to their conversation. Still, I'll pick it up and "examine" it while they're talking
Igfig: "That her over there?"  He tilts his head toward Adam.
Adam_The_Human tests the weight of the lamp between both hands
Arwia looks over, turns back.
Arwia: "No no, she's a half-elf."
Adam_The_Human looks over
Adam_The_Human: "What did you just call me?"
Arwia: "My friend is a half-elf I mean."
Igfig: "Didn't think so. Guess she ain't here."
Arwia: "Have you seen her though?  Black hair?"
Igfig: "Yeah, came in just yesterday.  Three of her."
Merric: This one had pretty green eyes.
Merric: A smallish nose.
Merric: Very attractive, quite striking.
Slim_Bankshot: I should probably jet in about half an hour
Merric: She may have asked you about silverware?
Igfig: "Oh.  Yeah, couple days ago.  Tried to sell her some forks."
Merric: insight check
Merric: 1d20+1
Fortuna: Merric, 1d20+1: [9] = 10
Merric: pfft
Igfig: he is being perfectly, transcendentally honest.
Merric: a rare thing in this sort of place
Igfig: or maybe just the run-of-the-mill kind, you
Adam_The_Human: Just because he tried to sell her forks doesn't mean it wasn't her
Igfig: have a hard time telling
Merric: Did she mention her destination?
Adam_The_Human: Is there any way for me to sneak my way into the back?
Merric: any aquaintences?
Igfig: "Nah.  She was asking about getting something melted down.  Wrong place, if you ask me."
Merric: hmmm
Igfig: sure Adam, he's mildly distracted
Merric: what sort of thing.
Adam_The_Human: well, he doesn't seem like he has her in a back room now
Adam_The_Human: so I guess I won't
Igfig: "Didn't say. Sounded more like a hypothetical something, if you know what I mean."
Merric: I see I see
Merric: Did she mention, or did you happen to see where she went when she left?
Igfig: "Yeah.  Out."
Merric: Har har. A fine joke.
Adam_The_Human: "Excuse me, how much for this lamp?"
Igfig: "Twenty gal."
Igfig: (gal is short for galifars, the gold currency)
Adam_The_Human whistles, and puts the lamp back on the shelf.
Igfig: (I'm terrible at pricing)
Merric: (think of it as 20 bucks)
Adam_The_Human: I wasn't gonna buy it anyway, just throwing something random in
Igfig: ah, gotcah
Igfig: *cha
Merric: hmm, what time of day did this young lady show up here?
Igfig: "Afternoon? Hour or two before closing."
Merric: I see.
Merric: Thank you very much for your help.
Adam_The_Human: I think we've got all we can from this guy
Arwia: "If you see her again could you tell her father?  He's looking for her too and I'm not as easy to get a hold of."
Merric: aside: I think we are done here.
Arwia: could you tell her to see her*
Arwia: father*
Igfig: "Yeah?  Who's her dad?"
Merric: aside: lets not let him know who she is
Merric frantic cutting motions
Arwia: "She knows who her father is, just tell her to see him, I think I have to go."
Arwia: Exiting.
Merric: Indeed!
Merric: Let us be off.
Igfig: "Right, right."
Adam_The_Human leaves
Merric exeunt
Igfig: As you step outside, a piece of moss in the sidewalk catches your eye
Adam_The_Human: to the silver star whatever
Arwia: Yeah, so much for that place.
Igfig: it's an interesting shade of dark green
Adam_The_Human: does it spell the words "Red Herring"?
Merric: Arwia, you notice the stranges things.
Arwia: Indeed.
Igfig: Maybe, just maybe, "it caught my eye" is completely independent from "it's plot-relevant"
Igfig: Maybe.
Merric: Let's move on to our destination.
Igfig: Yes, let's.
Merric: Silver whatsit
Adam_The_Human: woah woah, let's not be hasty
Igfig: Shining Star.
Adam_The_Human: was that moss on our list of people/locations?
Merric: no. there are no "patches of interesting moss" on this list.
Igfig: Well, Albert Moss is a name near the middle of the list
Adam_The_Human: OF COURSE
Arwia: Clearly we have a connection there.
Merric: Librarians are hardly our concern.
Adam_The_Human: to the Shining Star
Igfig: but you know him, and he looks nothing like this guy
Igfig: Right-o
Merric: All due haste now.
Igfig: You finally arrive at your destination.
Igfig: The place looks dark from the outside.
Arwia: And me without the light cantrip.
Adam_The_Human: walk in anyway?
Adam_The_Human: or
Igfig: Once it was probably a pretty nice townhouse or the equivalent, but that must have been a good century and many bad owners ago.
Merric: I believe we can simply use a traditional means of light.
Adam_The_Human: Wait, this is a part of a skyscraper, isn't it? Can I lower myself in through a skylight?
Merric: that would require several hours of climbing I think
Igfig: Any skylights are going to be way, way up
Adam_The_Human: Hmm
Igfig: there are windows and a door, however
Adam_The_Human: Meh, forget climbing
Igfig: and probably a way in around back
Adam_The_Human: let's just go in
Igfig: right
Igfig: it is, in fact, dark in here.
Merric: A straight path through the door!
Adam_The_Human: I go into sneak mode
Merric: A lamp! A torch! A candle!
Adam_The_Human: assuming I have total concealment
Merric: anything at all.
Arwia: I have sunrods and ghoul candles.
Igfig: you have total concealment, Adam, until the light goes on
Adam_The_Human: that's all I need
Adam_The_Human: 1d20+20 stealth
Fortuna: Adam_The_Human, stealth: [10] = 30
Igfig: that is, until you guys turn on a light
Igfig: okay, you are well-hidden
Merric: Sundrods: activate
Merric: !
Adam_The_Human: I only need total concealment to hide, once I'm hidden I only need partial to stay hidden
Arwia: I was thinking a candle, that way Adam can stay closer with concealment.
Merric: if you so choose.
Igfig: The place has been completely ransacked.
Merric: suspicious.
Merric: but wonderful.
Adam_The_Human: that's unusual
Merric: it means we are on to something.
Arwia: Hmmm...
Igfig: Silverware and metalwork are strewn across the floor
Igfig: a display case over to the side has been smashed to bits
Igfig: toward the back, you can see a forge, tools everywhere
Igfig: the anvil overturned
Igfig: under the anvil is a body
Adam_The_Human: uh oh
Arwia: I investigate the body.
Merric: I search for clues of the ransackers.
Igfig: man, early middle age, small beard, leather apron
Merric: 1d20+1 perception
Fortuna: Merric, perception: [17] = 18
Igfig: probably the proprietor
Igfig: chest utterly caved in
Arwia: Can I use my necromancy to learn anything from him?
Adam_The_Human: hmm
Igfig: soundly beaten about the face and limbs and... eveerywhere, really
Igfig: to the point that his face is a bruised, bloody mass
Arwia: Right, so body wise he won't be saying anything then.
Adam_The_Human: Aren't you a necromancer?
Adam_The_Human: Mance that necro, fool
Merric: A crime of passion?
Merric: Hatred?
Merric: Or the illusion of such?
Arwia: I'm gonna, Ig hasn't said I can though, or wether it is possible.
Igfig: if you tried to speak with dead, he'd be very hard to understand
Arwia: Eh, Arcana away!
Igfig: but it's worth a shot
Arwia: What if we speak with just his spirit?
Arwia: Or:
Arwia: I have telepathy.
Igfig: which ritual are you thinking?
Igfig: and telepathy doesn't work on corpses
Arwia: I don't have any rituals actually, I don't think mages get ritual casting right off the bat.
Igfig: ah
Arwia: I was just going to wing it with Arcana.
Igfig: yeah, not gonna happen
Arwia: I sure am good at necromancing.
Slim_Bankshot: The best
Adam_The_Human: Need a little more practice before you can mance a necro of this magnitude
Arwia: Eh, only apprentice level anyways.
Igfig: if you can't cast any rituals at all, you have to repurpose some power if you want to improvise
Igfig: Anyway
Arwia: Hmm..
Arwia: Wait I have it.
Igfig: Merric, your perception check
Igfig: oh>
Igfig: ?
Arwia: Restless Dead makes dead stuff burst up out of the ground and stuff to claw at people's legs, usually mouse legs and stuff.
Arwia: Could I use Restless Dead to make him right out answers to questions?
Arwia: write*
Adam_The_Human: oh god this is gonna be a Monty Python reference isn't it
Arwia: Not that I know of.
Igfig: I think that's a matter of animating the body, not contacting the spirit
Arwia: Oh wait, nevermind I thought of how one could pull a reference there.
Arwia: Either way yeah, guess not.
Igfig: So, Merric
Merric: Yesh?
Igfig: As far as clues about the attackers go, at least one of them must have been quite strong
Igfig: to push the anvil
Adam_The_Human: sounds ominous
Merric: I was thinking that
Merric: perhaps a goliath.
Igfig: it looks like they weren't particularly interested in robbing this guy, what with all the silver still here
Adam_The_Human: probably just looking for the Basilisk
Adam_The_Human: BUT LITTLE DID THEY KNOW the basilisk had been melted down into the very silverware that was scattered across the floor~
Merric: Definitely an organized hit.
Slim_Bankshot: I'm out, dudes.
Slim_Bankshot: G'night
Adam_The_Human: bye Slim
Arwia: Night Slim.
Slim_Bankshot quit.
Igfig: Kay, bye!
Igfig: you also notice that the forge is still lit, if dying
Adam_The_Human: hmm
Adam_The_Human: are there any back rooms?
Arwia: So it probably happened while we were at that pawn shop.  Bothersome.
Merric: indeed.
Merric: THough it is perhaps fortuitus
Adam_The_Human: damn your inquisitive eyes, Arwia