I already gave my final offer. Chappie answered as he shook his head "no". Just leave the notes and go. And I don't want to see you around my lab again without Maria here. If I do, I will assume you're stealing from me and there will be consequences. Go. Chappie waited while the young elf left. He walked behind the elf and watched him to make sure he left. The rogue made a mental note to talk to Maria about Shireen's erroneous assumptions. Speaking of which . . . where is everyone? He had lost his appetite for crafting for the day. He waited a sufficient amount of time to make sure the boy didn't try to sneak back, then Chappie locked up and went out to both go shopping for the items he wouldn't be making and figure where the heck everyone else was.

Okay. Mea culpa EDIT: post edited accordingly

, apologies if I mislead you. You're not inside the house. You're still on the porch, outside of the locked front door.

Statblock Female LE Tiefling (Hellspawn) Sorcerer, Level 3, Init 2, HP 12/12, Speed 30 Feet AC 13, Touch 12, Flat-footed 11, CMD 13, Fort 1, Ref 3, Will 4, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 1 Masterwork Dagger +2 (1d4, 19-20x2) Dagger (For Throwing) +3 (1d4, 19-20x2) (+1 Armor, +2 Dex) Abilities Str 10, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 17 Condition None Nykla offers the woman a winning smile. "I think combining our forces might be an excellent choice. You're clearly far better at the lethality than me, and while I'm not normally an invitee to the parties at this place, I do have some familiarity with the names and faces on the party circuit." She considered. "We're inside now, so we just need to figure out where to go from here. The fact that there's no guard, and and this abandoned mask is. not good. But Happy thoughts, no?" Nykla proposed. they were in now, sparing a few glances for the attractive Varisian woman. Perhaps she could mix pleasure (finding Amin) with pleasure (getting to know this attractive young woman). "Searching it is. But unless you have rope and an ability to climb, the balcony isn't an option. If we can find a person, I'm confident I can... convince them to let us in, given the right opportunities, but failing that, trying to force this door or a window seems the best bet. Servants entrance should be preferrable than the front door, I'd asssume. Shall we go see if we can find one?" Time and place, yes, but still. "My name is Nykla. What's yours?" Action: None HP: 15/15 Spells Per Day: 7/4 Spell Effects: Mage Armor (Current AC raised to 16)

Habus stares at Girrigz for a moment, then turns shaking his head sadly. He pauses as he enters the crack leading back out. "The problem with fear.... The problem with fear is that it makes people easy to manipulate. They'll fear you and someone'll use that fear to do worse to what caused it. Careful what you wish for mate. I'll see if I can do anything to keep mobs out, but I ain't holdin my breath on that. You catch any wind 'bout whats up with this plauge, pass word eh?" He leaves and starts the trek back toward the surface.

Seven Days to the Grave - Nykla continued ... Carowyn Manor Grounds There is a long, tense pause after Nykla makes her suggestion. The spellcaster cannot help be aware of the cold steel chilling her delicate flesh at the small of her back. After a long few moments, the tension is eased as the stranger breaks the long silence. "Alright. I'm taking a few steps back." Nykla can hear her feet shuffling behind her. "No funny business, or you'll regret it. Now ... turn around slowly." Nykla is now face-to-face with the woman who was holding her captive. A strikingly lovely young lady of Varisian descent. She's dressed in what one might generously call her "Sunday best". The young lady was clearly hoping to blend in with a wealthier crowd -- a crowd that at just a single glance, Nykla can tell the girl simply doesn't belong to. In one hand, Nykla can see the weapon that was at her back is some kind of iron pry-bar. In the girl's other hand, she wields a small wand of made from a pale, well-oiled wood. She keeps both weapons aimed defensively at Nykla. "My brother's inside," she explains. "He was hired to entertain these rich muckity-mucks for this shindig, but hasn't returned home." The girl spills her guts, clearly wanting to trust Nykla and enlist her aid. "I tried getting inside around sunrise, but the Korvosa Guard caught me sneaking onto the property. I tried to get my friend to help but ... he's never around when I need him. I should've known better." "I brought this pry bar this time," she explains, gushing now that she has an ally in the search for her brother. "I thought maybe a door or window or that balcony upstairs might have some way inside and I " she pauses, a quick, hopeful glance dances across her features, " ... we? we could go search?" Responding to .

Seven Days to the Grave - Habus Underground - Wererat Hooligan Lair: Room 1 "No," Girrigz states simply, flatly denying Habus' impassioned plea. "I'm tired, and I'm done." Habus can see the subtle nods of agreement from the other wererats in the vicinity. Though not what the dwarf would call a charismatic leader, the wererat's words clearly resonate with the others down here. For a moment, it seems like Girrigz is repeating the words the guard stated earlier, but Habus quickly realizes that the guard was repeating Girrigz. "I was born in these sewers, not far from here. I was raised in these sewers, splashing about in the muck and the grime, far away from the fresh air and the sunshine and the trade and prosperity and the ... the ... the joy that should be ours by right!" Girrigz pauses for a moment, and murmurs of agreement can be heard from the wererat guards. "Now they want to come down here? Into Our Homes?!" "Hell no!" "So you go, Mr. Dwarf. Go and warn them. Tell them only death and decay await them. Because we're prepared this time. We will be ready. Maybe we can't win. But we can put the fear of the Gods into the hearts of the next generation of murderous lynch mobs. And the generation after that!" "Yeah!" the wererats cheer on Girrigz' stirring speech. "Hell yeah!" "They may not want us. They may not like us. But I swear on my dying breath, They Will Fear Us." "Now get out of here, before I change my mind and make you our first example." "Fear us! Fear us!" One or two wererats begin chanting, and quickly all the wererats Habus can see and other, distant voices that he cannot, pick up the chant, filling the chamber with the sound of slowly-fermenting revolution. "FEAR US! FEAR US!" The words echo down the dark and distant halls. Girrigz leans in close, filling the dwarf's nostrils with the sent of sweat, sewage, and wererat musk. He delivers a menacing whisper into Habus' ear, "I think it's time for you to go, little man." The dwarf gets the impression that he won't get a second warning. The wererat demagogue steps back, arms raised, basking in the chants and adulation of his followers, a glint of madness twinkling in his bloodshot eyes. GM NOTE: Responding to .

Director's Commentary ... will reveal after Chappie's next actions Formerly private text I was going for a very specific feel with this post. Tried to find a balance between snot-nosed smart-alec, and tiny puppy barking at big bad wolfhound. I'm curious to know how the players react. GM EDIT: I guess I got my answer.

Seven Days to the Grave - Chappie continued ... Alchemy Lab - Zellara's House As Chappie makes his threats to the young teen, the boy for a moment looks panic-striken, more like he wants to flee or faint than he wants to be be alone in a stranger's room haggling over wages. It takes a moment, but Chappie quickly understands the source of this reaction -- having spent years as one of "Lamm's Lambs", the boy still associates angry adults with beatings, starvation, mutilation and/or becoming crocodile chow. Before he can act on this insight, he watches as the boy steels his resolve, tamping down on his gut reaction and confronting the adult in question. "Um, actually, one silver per day is the going rate for unskilled labor. If anyone offers to do this job for less than three silver, they're either a fraud or a criminal. I'll do it for four per day, the notes, continued access to the library, with a satisfaction guarantee. If I can't finish on time, my labor is free. But if I finish early, I get a four-silver bonus." Once again, Iymibryl thrusts out his hand, either not noticing or not caring that another few sheets of paper come fluttering out of his grasp and onto the floor. Try as he might, he cannot fully still the tremor in his outstretched hand. GM NOTE: Responding to .

Nykla, internally: "It's rather odd and off-putting to actually be telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth."

Statblock Female LE Tiefling (Hellspawn) Sorcerer, Level 3, Init 2, HP 12/12, Speed 30 Feet AC 13, Touch 12, Flat-footed 11, CMD 13, Fort 1, Ref 3, Will 4, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 1 Masterwork Dagger +2 (1d4, 19-20x2) Dagger (For Throwing) +3 (1d4, 19-20x2) (+1 Armor, +2 Dex) Abilities Str 10, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 17 Condition None Nykla stiffened, not moving too much, to make sure her would be amusher didn't come up with an excuse to stab her. "I'm here looking for a friend of mine who, at last report, was here. I even brought an invitation." She held up the invitation Vimanda had given her. "Technically not given to me, but I'm less here to partake of the festivities than to find my friend. Though given the lack of guards at the unlocked door and the discarded mask, I think the party might not really be ongoing anymore." She put on her best 'be reasonable, dear' tone of voice, adding, "I'm not here to hurt you, or anyone else. Why don't you lower the... spear? Sword? Whatever if is you have digging into my skin before you leave a scar, and we can have a simple chat, face to face." Action: Diplomacy Check HP: 15/15 Spells Per Day: 7/4 Spell Effects: Mage Armor (Current AC raised to 16)

Seven Days to the Grave - Nykla continued ... Carowyn Manor Grounds Nykla turns the knob and attempts to open the door, but finds it locked, barring her from entering through the front like a civilized person. Somewhere, she gets the nagging feeling of some kind of narratively poetic irony of being unable to just walk into the Carowyn House, but she's too worried and too frustrated to ponder the subtle symbology when her man is missing. "Hold!" comes the order from behind her. Nykla feels cold, hard metal pressing into the small of her back as a female voice, intentionally lowered an octave or two orders her to halt. "Who are you? What do you want here?" The questions come fast and nervous. Whoever this person is, they were quick and quiet, and smart enough to stay in Nykla's blind spots, but clearly out of their element. Responding to .

He's got no social skills so all he can do is tell it like he sees it and try not to be a jerk while doing so.

Right?! Fortunately, I have a few other players to get through before I have to finalize a response. He really gave me a lot to digest.

All I know how to do is look scary and talk straight. I love this line

Habus scratches his head, a bit uncertain. "I shoulda brought a talker with me. All I know how to do is look scary and talk straight." He rests the haft of his longaxe on the ground and leans on it like a staff. "It's like this, people... well, people are predictable. There's a plague, they gonna blame the rats. You know it, I know it. Hell, if the mob took a minute to think, they'd know it. That blame will get passed to anyone seen as rat-like, so wererats, ratfolk, sorry ysoki, and that one weasley looking merchant who they think mighta got the better of them that one time. It ain't smart, but it's the way it is. We all know it's only a matter of time before some big ass mob comes down here looking to 'burn those plauge-spreading vermin' or something. Ya got two choices, fight or don't be here when they come, right? Sounds like you lot are fixen to fight. And I understand. I'd want to fight too. You could probably take a good 20-30 of em... maybe a bit less if they brought some guards along or sumpin. Problem is, they gonna come by the hundreds. You're just gonna kill a couple dozen and then die, leaving a pissed off mob looking for more blood. I know some of your folk picked not being found. If the mob is pissed about who they lost on top of being a buncha scared sheep about the plauge, they might keep looking until they find the others. Not saying the definitely will, but it's a thing to worry about." He sighs and looks around at the group. "I guess there is a third option. Help us figure out how to stop the damn plauge. I'm sure y'all've seen a bit more of what's been going on than most surface folk, certainly more than me - I was out of town when it started."

Seven Days to the Grave - Habus Underground - Wererat Hooligan Lair: Room 1 Habus' sagging shoulders and abrupt change in tone leaves the wererats momentarily confused. Brash, angry hotheads, it was easy for them to match Habus' aggressive tone with more aggression but without something fresh to spark their ire, but they falter in the face of genuine uncertainty. They're still on alert, watching the dwarf with wary, cautious eyes. But the sense of immediate danger has been abated. "Come away from the shriekersHabus knows the name. A magic-infused mushroom that makes a shrill whistle when disturbed. Many subterranean creatures use them as a quick-and-dirty alarm system., kid," central wererat orders the female. Returning his attention to Habus, he repleis in a still angry, but much calmer tone of voice. "We're just looking after our own, chum. We don't want trouble, but we'll take what troubles we're given and return it with interest, if you get my drift. Speak your peace, and we'll make sure Girrigz gets the message. They you can get the hells out of here." "No need for alla that," a new voice enters the conversation. "He came all this way. Let 'em say it t' my face, like." Game Mechanical/Mastery Stuff Give me a sense motive check. And whatever other social shenanigans you're going to perform. GM NOTE: Responding to .

Seven Days to the Grave - Maria continued ... Father Dhatri Father Dhatri -- Ishani -- holds up his hands in mock surrender. "I promise you, I am not trying to keep you from my sister for nefarious reasons. It's just ... things are messy between us right now. And between you and I ... things are nice. Uncomplicated." "Well, as uncomplicated as you can get considering that between us we're raising a dozen unruly, former-criminal orphans in a city that feels like it's teetering on the edge of twin precipices of Plague and Riots. Other than that, smooth sailing!" "But dinner," he quickly shifts topics. "Day after tomorrow, around sunset? Do you like fish? One of my parishioners owns a wonderful VudraniI don't remember if it's been mentioned explicitly, but Father Dhatri is of Vudrani descent. restaurant. Reminds me of my own mother's cooking when I eat there. I think you'll like it." GM NOTE: Responding to

The young man's exorbitant demands seemed a little less entertaining as time wore on, but Chappie did his best to maintain his smile. I wouldn't say you'd have nothing to show for it. You get to redeem yourself for attempting to steal from me. Further , you get the opportunity to prove you can be an assistant, which means you'll be an associate instead of an enemy. I think that associate status would be very valuable to you when compared to the other option. The going rate for an assistant is 1 silver a day. Working 5 days a week for 2 weeks means you'd get 1 gold piece at the end of it if I was paying you. A tanglefoot bag is usually about 50 gold pieces. What you're asking for is 50 times more than the going rate. You apparently think I'm smart enough that you need to copy my notes, but dumb enough that you can con me. Just to be clear, since elves don't always understand human nuances, I find that rather insulting. Chappie began to have doubts about trusting this elf as an assistant. He let his words sink in for a little bit, and continued. The young elf was obviously looking for a better offer. Chappie didn't blame the boy, but felt like he needed to be clear that he wouldn't tolerate being stolen from. You couldn't be soft on the streets of Korvosa. So here's my final offer. You can work for me for 1 week, for free, to make up for stealing from me. If you do a good job and prove you can do what I need effectively, I will hire you as an assistant starting at the rate of 1 silver piece a day. If we get to the end of the week and either you don't want to continue working for me or I don't want to hire you, we'll go our separate ways and call the slate clean. If you don't want that offer, leave the notes you took on the table and go. I'll make sure Shireen and the rest of my friends know what you've done and you won't be welcome back here.

Nykla: No, no, please don't stop. :P

Hey, I'm just sweet talking the cute priest. If I need a group for that I ... OK going to stop that train of thought right there.

Statblock Female LE Tiefling (Hellspawn) Sorcerer, Level 3, Init 2, HP 12/12, Speed 30 Feet AC 13, Touch 12, Flat-footed 11, CMD 13, Fort 1, Ref 3, Will 4, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 1 Masterwork Dagger +2 (1d4, 19-20x2) Dagger (For Throwing) +3 (1d4, 19-20x2) (+1 Armor, +2 Dex) Abilities Str 10, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 17 Condition None "No magical protections active, mask just lying abandoned on the ground... that's not ominous at all." Nykla needed a person to pump for information. People she could handle. A complete lackthereof, on the other hand, just made things... difficult. Still, without a magical ward, or a guard - she had to assume that the front door wouldn't have any traps and such, right? Just in case, she pulled out one of the wands in her possession, and cast it on herself. That done, she decided it was time to put up or shut up, and grabbed at the handle and, assuming she didn't notice anything obvious, she opened the door. Action: Cast Detect Magic, as often as necessary to keep it active. Casting Mage Armor from the wand on herself. HP: 15/15 Spells Per Day: 7/4 Spell Effects: Mage Armor (Current AC raised to 16)

:rofl: Hey, as long as we can run away, we can always regroup. Nykla will certainly make a run for it at the first sign of an enemy she can't charm (magic) or charm (mundane) her way past. Unless she can paste them with magic missile or something, I suppose.

Habus sighs and lets his shoulders droop, but shifts slightly to keep the female circling the perimeter in sight. "See, that's the thing, and I had to learn this the hard way meself, we can be as tired of getting pushed down as we want. It don't change a misforged thing if ya try to push back alone. You just end up framed for murder or some such. In you all's case, surface folk tend to blame rats any time sickness kicks up, even if it's their own damn filth causing the problem. We got some sorta magic plauge or curse going on up there. I'd be shocked if there isn't a bounty on rats already. It's not a far step from that to havin a bounty on were-rats and ratfolk too. Causin trouble now is like picken a fight in a bar while you know the guard is right out front. Better to slip out the back alley and fight another day." He guestures toward his weapons. "I didn't bring any silver, so you can see I ain't here for any sort of permanent-type discussion. 'sides, Eries'd get mad at me if I tried."

Seven Days to the Grave - Habus Underground - Wererat Hooligan Lair: Room 1 "We're done!" the lead wererat spits. "We're done with you topsiders comin' down here and beatin' us down every time somethin' goes wrong up there!" The other wererats join in, hissing in support and agreement. "Last warning before things goes bad." He stand at the edge of the crude channel of sewage that marks the midway point of the room. At his feet, the dire rats' attention is focused solely on the dwarf, mouths agape and slavering, waiting for the order to attack. Outnumbered six-to-one, and he hasn't even seen Girrigz or whoever else he's got in the back room yet, Habus finds himself rethinking the choices that lead him to this juncture. These next few moments may be the most important moments of his life. Game Mechanical/Mastery Stuff Wererat Intimidate vs. Habus: Success. Habus is for 1 round. Perception check vs. ???: Failure. That growth of mold and muck on the far wall, if you squint your eyes a little, looks just like your uncle Morgrym! What a coincidence! Knowledge check vs. ???: Failure. Just a normal day playing dominance games with wererats in the sewers. Nothing out of the ordinary here! Sense Motive #1: Partial success. The female wererat circling around the perimeter towards the mold and mushrooms thinks she's gaining some sort of advantage over you. But, because of your location next to the wall, they can't flank you. Something else is going on. Sense Motive #2: Success. The wererat who is taking knows who you are, and knows killing you would make Eries upset, which he wants to avoid. However, he's apparently not above clubbing about the head and shoulders until you're unconscious. GM NOTE: Responding to .