Iron Kingdoms: Tides of War

[Cynical Cat]

As the streets are cobblestone, there are no tracks.

[rhoenix]

"So, how many of the tracks follow where we're going?"

With a look of small annoyance directed at the cobbles, Zedrin spoke up. "Much as I despise it, cobblestone streets do not hold tracks well. We'll simply have to check by other means."

[Comrade Tortoise]

"If it turns out they lied, there is always the possibility of using a board and a bucket of water to get the information we need... When we get to the river, depending on a few factors we may be able to find something useful."

[SirNitram]

"If it turns out they lied, there is always the possibility of using a board and a bucket of water to get the information we need... When we get to the river, depending on a few factors we may be able to find something useful."

"We do not torture." Malkamar stated firmly and without any indication he was open to discussion. "Nor would it yield usable information. When you are made to believe you are dying, you will say anything that comes to mind. Believe me."

[Charon]

Akina looked towards the river. "I don't suppose hyu got an idea of how de lich 'as hidden itself?" Akina glanced at Corey as she walked down the street, the imposing figure doing a very good job of keeping people from bumbling in their path. "Or, ve could jus' beat ze tar out of dem. Much easier."

[Comrade Tortoise]

"I would never dream of it... You must forgive my gallows humor" Damn paladins, always getting in the way...

Once he arrived at the river, Corey looked for anything out of place, tracks at the river bank, bodies, hastily cast off moorings. Anything. Totenzahn was also released

"Totenzahn, see if you can find any snakes or frogs that may have seen something"

The snake nodded and went about his work

[Cynical Cat]

Akina approached the river. The banks dropped down about ten feet to the actual river. Two bridges, one on either side of her position and some distance away, crossed it. Several tenements, shops, and small industrial plants lined the the river bank. Several of them dumped waste into it from pipes as did a large sewer grating. A few people in patched clothing went about there business. Two ragged bums were fishing under the shadow of the north bridge.

[Comrade Tortoise]

Akina looked towards the river. "I don't suppose hyu got an idea of how de lich 'as hidden itself?" Akina glanced at Corey as she walked down the street, the imposing figure doing a very good job of keeping people from bumbling in their path. "Or, ve could jus' beat ze tar out of dem. Much easier."

"Unless there was a persistent spell effect, there wouldnt be. There are a few ways he could have done it. Illusions, polymorphing. I would honestly have to see him... come to think of it"

"Arcanum Illuminarii" His eyes started to glow, and he would be able to detect any residual spell effects left in the area.

[Cynical Cat]

A faint silver glow filtered out from a large circular grate beneath a large, crumbling building.

[Comrade Tortoise]

Corey walked over and gently squeezed on Teghe's shoulder and pointed toward the grate. Holding up a hand and signaling everyone to be silent and still

He sent a silent message to Totenzahn to return, and the snake started crawling up his leg.

"Can you cast detect magic?" he whispered in Teghe's ear

[LadyTevar]

Teghe shivered at the whisper next to his ear. "Dammit, Corey..." the gunmage hissed. "Ya don't have to whisper, just tell us what you see." Taking a pointed step away from Corey, Teghe touched the butt of his pistol and activated his own mage sight.

"I see it. The grate under that building there," Teghe said quietly to the rest of the party. "Who's going first?"

[Comrade Tortoise]

"But that is not nearly as much fun..." he said quietly "First we have to get the grate open, and I would love to have the element of surprise...

Corey also tried to identify what school of magic, if not the even the spell that he was seeing

[Charon]

Akina looked at the grate and then to Corey. "I do not belief that ve can do both. Unless hyu can make de grate disappear." Akina strode towards the grate, amazingly quiet for the armor she was wearing, though still noisy.

[Cynical Cat]

The grate was large enough to admit Akina, but unfortunately it was locked closed.

[Hotfoot]

Rogan eyed the grate and nodded appropriately. "Y'know, locks are wonderfully elegant pieces of mechanika. Simple, strong, and usually secure. However, a good understanding of mechanikal construction usually has other, well, useful benefits in this area," He pulled out his toolkit and went straight for his sets of fine tools, placed innocently alongside screwdrivers, pliers, and the rest. He looked carefully at the lock and the grate it was attached to, looking for any obvious or less than obvious traps before getting started.

"Stand back mates. Just a precaution, it's never a good idea to crowd 'round a bodger when he's working."

[B4UTRUST]

"You sure you can handle such a finely made piece, Rogan," Engas asked good-humoredly.
"Surprised you haven't just smacked it with your wrench until it opened yet. I'll take my chances and see what we're dealing with."

Engas squatted down across the grate from Rogan and peered over at the lock.

[Cynical Cat]

The lock yielded easily enough to Rogan's skills and tools, but the grate remained stubbornly shut.

[Charon]

Akina stepped up as it became clear that the grate was not going to move. "Is my turn now ja?" With that Akina lifted the Umbrian waraxe above her head. "Move now, don't vant to squish hyu."

[Hotfoot]

Rogan looked over at the shorter woman and winced. So much for quiet and surprise. "Right then, moving," He slid out of the way, knowing that he or Malkamar would have to end up explaining this later to the city officials.

[B4UTRUST]

Engas looked up at the scary woman from before. And now she had an axe. Yeah, this girl was quickly making bits of his anatomy turn from outtie to innie.

He rapidly crabwalked his way backwards way from the grate to what he felt was a safe distance before turning over and moving a few feet beyond that.

[Comrade Tortoise]

Corey moved out of the way, irritated at the complete and utter lack of surprise that was now imminent

[B4UTRUST]

"Y-yknow instead of smashing it to bits, couldn't you umm lift it? You and Malkamar are strong enough, right?"

[Charon]

Akina was just about to swing as Engas spoke up and she stopped short, the full helm turned to look at Engas as she apparently pondered his suggestion and then she lowered the axe. "Dat does sound lik a better idea."

The armored woman's helm then turned to look towards Malkamar. "Tink hyu and I can do dis?"

[SirNitram]

"It's more likely to work, yes. Only one way to know." Malkamar shifted his weight, kneeling to get a firm grip. "On three." He added, counting it off once the woman had gotten ahold.

[rhoenix]

Zedrin couldn't help but grin at the way Akina was ready to simply smash through the grating with an axe. As much as he'd like to have watched her do so, he did admit to himself that simply yanking the grate up would be significantly less noisy than smashing it through.

He was quite amused at how Malkamar managed to be working with her again, despite his protestations of her.

"Right, you two, moonlight's wasting."