Chapter 1: Wherein the Protagonists Meet at an Inn

[Joe the Rat]

Sorry about the long delay. It's been a bit hectic.

Selene cautiously moves towards the desk. If she reaches it without incident she will examine the desk and the trunk for traps and locks.

Saeloria slowly enters the room and will visually inspect the room and will pay particular attention to the desk and trunk. She will see if she can see any identifying marks or symbols on either of them and/or identify the origin or maker of any of the items.

As you proceed into the room cautiously (and with musical accompaniment), it is clear that this was once a well appointed space, but has aged, and been stripped of many features over time. Most of what's left are the barest of essentials, and ill-kept. You do notice an actual, folded change of clothes - a tradesman's outfit, in good shape and decent quality.

The desk is of an elvish style, and a veritable antique... for humans. It's a couple hundred years old. Saeloria's father might have known the maker growing up. It is foremost a writing desk, with an added shelf for letters and papers. There a few scraps of parchment resting on top, with a crude bit of accounting on them. Selene finds no traps on the desk or drawer. it is not locked.

The trunk has fewer years, but far more miles. It is a caravaner's bench-trunk, used for storing wealth and precious goods on the road. A heavy padlock holds the locking bar in place. Selene finds no traps here as well.

Hamish, satisfied that someone is dealing with the contents of the room, turns his attention to watching out behind the party.

Hamish turns to watch the hall, and sees the cook, still standing nervously by the first room. "Er, mind if I go back down?"

[jcm]

Selene goes through the desk's contents. She will skim through any papers to see if there is anything of interest. Any treasure found will merit a cursory examination as well.

[Solomoriah]

Hamish turns to watch the hall, and sees the cook, still standing nervously by the first room. "Er, mind if I go back down?"

Hamish frowns mightily, such as might make a hill giant quaver, then says, "Go ahead, and I'll follow. I can guard the stairs as well from the bottom as the top, and you can fetch me a bite to eat while I do so."

So saying, Hamish moves to put actions to his words.

[SmootRK]

Hamish turns to watch the hall, and sees the cook, still standing nervously by the first room. "Er, mind if I go back down?"

Hamish frowns mightily, such as might make a hill giant quaver, then says, "Go ahead, and I'll follow. I can guard the stairs as well from the bottom as the top, and you can fetch me a bite to eat while I do so."

So saying, Hamish moves to put actions to his words.

With Hamish at the bottom of the stairs, Galen feels that the top of the stairs would make a good spot for his bow (does this area overlook the lower area (like a landing would)?), and so he moves there.

[Hywaywolf]

muddle goes into the room and immediately starts looking for secret doors and hidden compartmenst

[Joe the Rat]

Selene goes through the desk's contents. She will skim through any papers to see if there is anything of interest. Any treasure found will merit a cursory examination as well.

There are two layers of paper here - one rather old and somewhat stained, with a few random bits strewn across the top. The newer papers have some basic accounting work - sort of like tracking trade and expenses, only with fewer taxes. The older papers are typical inn-expenses and notes on travelers, with the most recent dating back 30 years. You do discover that this used to be the village of Grenwood, and the Inn was once called The Laughing Dragon. "Tullman" was the name of the proprietor. As you lift a stack of older papers, a letter opener falls out onto the desk surface. It is almost entirely black, but definitely silver, with an intricate winding dragon design on the handle.

Hamish frowns mightily, such as might make a hill giant quaver, then says, "Go ahead, and I'll follow. I can guard the stairs as well from the bottom as the top, and you can fetch me a bite to eat while I do so."

So saying, Hamish moves to put actions to his words.

The cooks nods appreciatively and scurries off to the kitchen. The bar is pretty much as you left it, except for a few extra flies coming in through the broken window, and the kobold investigating what is left of the bandit's drinks.

With Hamish at the bottom of the stairs, Galen feels that the top of the stairs would make a good spot for his bow (does this area overlook the lower area (like a landing would)?), and so he moves there.

You would need to move partway down the stairs to be able to cover the room.

muddle goes into the room and immediately starts looking for secret doors and hidden compartmenst

Where are you searching first?

Saeloria?
---
Wildlands, the remains of Greenwood. Date Unknown, 4:00pm
Somewhere between Stonefall and Lakeford

[Hywaywolf]

muddle searches around the fireplace and chimney

[Blazeguard]

Saeloria seems quite intrigued by the trunk. She will assist Selene in searching the desk, looking specifically for a key that might fit the padlock. If no key is found she will call Muddle over to see if he can pick it. "Muddle, do you think you could have a look at this lock here? I'd like to see what's in this trunk."

[Hywaywolf]

"someone picked up a bunch of keys from down in the basement? Who was that?"

[jcm]

Selene fumbles for the keys and pulls them out of her pocket. She walks over to the trunk and examines it for traps before trying the keys.

"Allow me" she says to Saeloria.

OOC: I'd totally forgotten about those keys!