Zilean's Revenge (Part 5)

"I don't know his name, I just know he's part of some guild. Buyers, or something like that. Never told me much else. Usually I'd offer him things once a week behind the mansion, haggle a bit about it, and such, sometimes he'd tell me if he wanted something specific... Shortly after the whole fiasco happened, he showed up at the garrison and told me what to, uh, "swap" whilst everything was chaotic, paying me half in advance, other half later on the next meet. From what he described it and what the fake looked like, I thought it was some fancy decorative ornament. He told me to leave the bucket with the real thing near one of the garrison walls, before they moved them forward this morning. I can show you where."

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Zthulan can rejoin the others whilst the maid leads the rest outside to the place.

Rolf's eyes widened. "...So, he was the one who called out what to steal and provided the fakes? This stinks of conspiracy. Please lead the way." As Rolf followed the maid, he asked, "So, what else has your contact asked you to swap since the attack? If he's working with our enemies, there may be more things vital to our defence that we need to know need to be recovered...or at least replaced."

"It was... " Zthulan thinks back to the elf and the blindman, "Comforting. Now what have we found out?"

"To swap, nothing. It was all just random items and he seemed to be guessing most of the time, since he didn't always ask for something the manor had. Sometimes I gave him literal junk we'd otherwise have thrown away, like damaged clothing or a cracked vase, though he didn't offer much for them. Then it was things out of bunches like a single soap, or hankerchief, or bottle, or silverware... Come to think of it, he did ask for a lot of soap. But nothing really stands out, it was usually stuff you could just buy for a few or dozen gold pieces."

The maid leads the group outside to a half-broken barrel, near one of the garrison walls which seems like it's getting prepared to be relocated again, manned by some guards. She points beside it, to a bucket next to the barrel, empty, and with soapy water spilled.

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Checks if you're investigating.

"Hmm...so more vulture than saboteur, then...I wonder why soap would be such a high request." Rolf looks around to see if there was any tracks left by the "merchant", like possibly some drips from carrying the wet crystals.

Rolling Perception...15 (1d20) + 7 = 22

"Oh look, another sewer. Like a horrible underground cave, but also filled with rotting sludge." Horizon scowls, and lifts the manhole to peer inside.

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Perception: 3+10=13

"Indeed, this time we have no life-threatening injuries so this is a definite improvement! I can see why they would need soap." mutters Zthulan.

Rolf peered down into the sewers, using an Illuminate spell to shine a beam of light downwards. "Well, this is definitely a security risk we need to tell the guards about once we've found the thief. We wouldn't want zombies or cultist popping up behind the front lines later on." He tried to see if there was any way to determine where the thief could have gone. Chalk markings on the walls, fresh footprints on the walkways?

Rolling Perception... + 7 = 27

Horizon is too distracted by the sewer's disgusting qualities to notice the trail of water droplets on the concrete sections that Rolf picks up on. It leads away, deeper into the sewer tunnels, beyond what's visible at the top of the man-hole. He thinks it might be possible to follow, but it would be difficult due to the already-waterlogged and damp nature of the place. This all feels oddly familiar though.

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Roll a history or streetwise check, Rolf.

Rolling Streetwise...6 (1d20) + 10 = 16

Sorry, went on holiday, and swamped with work when I got back.

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"I've been to worse parties," Jeraylia comments. "Remind me to tell you about the time a dragon lich invited previous me over for drinks. Good times. Also, bad. In any case, let's hop right in, shall we, lads?"
Jeraylia hoists her buckler and slides over the opening to slip down into the sewer. Dropping down to one knee, her keen deva eyes watch for any sudden movement.

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Roll for stealth landing: 23 ( 15 + 8 stealth )
And Perception: 21 ( 12 + 9 perception )

Horizon sighs. "I don't even have all of my stuff..." He complains, and slips down the hole as well.

Jeraylia's drop is soundless as it can be, and there's no sign of danger, the person that last used it didn't stick around. The sewer is as one would expect - foul and unpleasant. The watery trail leads away from the garrison, roughly in the park or former faire's direction.

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Off on holiday from today, response will be limited until next week.

"Oh, blast, the Finder's Guild is in the sewers, isn't it?" Rolf groaned and turned to Stacy 2. "Stacy, report back to Bilge that we're heading down into the sewers. Oh, and tell her to let the guards know to keep an eye on any sewer manholes within the perimeter. It doesn't matter how far forward we can move our walls if the enemy can just pop in behind us." Rolf made his way down the ladder, then used his magic projecting his light forward. "Now, we can follow those water droplets for a while, but we need to keep our eyes open for Finder's Guild markings."

Rolling Streetwise to see if I remember the general area where the Finder's Guild operates....4 (1d20) + 10 = 14

(Edit: If we're heading back towards the park, would we get a bonus from Part 4, Page 22?)

Following the droplets leads the group through the sewer a bit. The rest of the path, Rolf guides the party using what he vaguely remembers as directions from his 'work' with the Finders Guild and a bit of know-how of the city's streets for reference. After some wandering, they find a section of the sewers they've been to before, and retrace their steps back to the Finder's Guild territory, marked with boxes like before.

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Roll perception, y'all in the sewers!

"Isn't that that Thieves guild thing? Really bad at making deals?" Horizon asks aloud as he follows along.

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Perception: 11+10=21

Zthulan snarls,"does this guild really cares so little about the welfare of the city? Or are they just that stupid?" Snorting out smoke in annoyance he also follows. "Has there been any discussion about trying to use these sewer systems in this situation? Surely they leave out of the city and could be used for refugees and reinforcements."

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Perception: 18 + (10) = 28.

"Could be an idea, my good medicine man. But, I wouldn't want to be a large crowd caught in an ambush down here, I'll say that much."

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Perception: 20 ( 11 + 9 perception)

"Well, the question isn't if they'll see us, but when we'll see them. I suppose we should get it over with as quickly as possible." Rolf started walking down the tunnel.  After walking a short distance, he spoke aloud. "May all that is lost be found again. I am Rolf Towden, Freelance Escort, Inventor of the Password System for Escorts, "Valued Consultant" status. Primary reference is Thomas Gallows, also known as Slick Tom. We are inquiring over certain items that have been...misplaced from the Town Hall that are vital for the continued defense of the city. Any assistance in recovering said items would be greatly appreciated."

Rolling Persuasion...2 (1d20) + 10 = 12

The tunnel continued into a T section, of which two tunnels seem to be blocked by construction save for 'murder holes', and a third tunnel has a big secure door with one-way-container compartment. There's sounds of movement and murmuring/talking behind all of them when. Then there's a shout. "Approach, no funny business. Who the hell did you bring with you? Tell 'em to drop leave their shankers at the door."