Prologue / Mission 1 - Crime Wave (Feb 2 - Feb 5, 1002YK)

[Squall255]

"It's good that they are remembering their roots" Goodberry broadcasts to the group while looking at the nearest fern. "Gaget, do you want to go check out those tunnels? I could map for you while you are underground." he says, this time aloud for the benefit of their contact.

[Mr_Praetorian]

[marked for deletion]

[Zanaikin]

(Assuming you do discuss it...)

Lucile takes you to the closest storage where they found a hole going underground and the owners don't mind outsiders (at least those coming to fix the problem) coming in.

The ground in this storage warehouse isn't paved by anything more than a layer of pebbles, and the hole is located at a dark corner of the room. It's pitch black inside, and from what you can tell the tunnel is small in size. Not too bad for a warforged scout model like Gadget, but anything larger would have to squeeze in and crawl through on all fours.

"They're all about this size," she shrugs.

[Laharl]

Adoett looks askance at the tiny tunnel. "Not a chance I can squeeze into that, but I bet those who can find kobolds since the information I received that only the young were killing kobolds, though - no one else can fit."

[skychan]

"It seems to me that of any and everyone that knows anything the children know the most. I'll be back in an hour or so, I just need to go change into something more appropriate. Anyone need anything from home while I'm getting a change of cloths? Oh and would anyone mind carrying my rapier and handcrossbow just in case they are needed later? Most street urchins won't have either."

With that Koko intends to return home, change into the youngest looking street urchin she can, and then return, to socialize among the children of the area. Talking with them and working to fit in and gain their trust enough to find out what is really going on. She won't be direct about it either as it occurs to her that there might not even be any kobolds if the kids are lying about it.

Disguise check to look like I belong, rolled 9 and 9 (advantage from attire) +20 skill = 29
Diplomacy influencing them kids, rolled 20 +10 skill +5 settlement = 35
Bluff for info rolled 11,8 )advantage from attire) +14 skill = 25
Diplo for info rolled 1 +10 skill = 11

[Mr_Praetorian]

"That would probably be wise." Gadget responds.

Before entering the tunnel, Gadget manifests Heightened Vision (grants darkvision 60ft for 4 hours). In addition, he expends, then regains his psionic focus to change his active disrupt pattern type to Reptilian Humanoid.

While in the tunnel, he will maintain constant communication with Goodberry.

(Will save 1d20+5= 21)

[Zanaikin]

( Koko leaves on an extended gather information session... )

The tunnels run deep and extensive, and Gadget estimated that he was nearing the limits of telepathy range when he discovered what must have confused the locals. There's a section of the tunnel that seems to serve as a junction, where at least two dozen tunnels all merge, but all of them heads back up to the surface.

Then he noticed one oddity:

While making sure he doesn't step on any traps, he found a 'gap' in the wall. What seemed like packed earth was actually an illusion that covered up another tunnel, one heading deeper underground.

Though if he heads any further, the telepathy would certainly be cut.

[Squall255]

"Good find Gaget, I'd suggest you come back up. Koko hasn't returned yet, and we need to look into getting Adoett a shrinking potion if we're going to give you any backup." Goodberry sends down to Gaget. He alerts the rest of the party of Gagets find and suggests we try to find Koko and prepare to all venture into the small tunnels.

[Mr_Praetorian]

"Agreed. I would further suggest we map out where the tunnels terminate at the surface. In that way, the district guard could potentially be prepared for further intrusions." Gadget returned, telepathically.

[Squall255]

"Affirmative" Goodberry sends back, and he continues sketching out the tunnel locations, he commits them to memory.

to memorize:

[Zanaikin]

Gadget and Goodberry spends the rest of the afternoon making a rough map of the tunnel network. You've managed to connect all of the entrances they've found to that junction area where all the tunnels were intersecting, and even discover three new ones. Two of these lead to empty warehouses where there's nothing to steal; but the third goes behind the alley of a local eatery which, oddly enough, hasn't been the target of any thefts.

( Koko's gathered information given to her in private... )

[skychan]

Later as the afternoon turns towards evening an urchin, slightly older, probably in her teens, finally manages to link back up with the group. A wide grin upon her face as she closes the distance and offering a friendly wave though only after glancing around to ensure that they were not under scrutiny. "Hey, sorry it took so long." As she grew closer so too she seemed to almost, well grow. Her figure filling out until it was pleasing to Leah's eye, and the secondary sexual characteristic was obvious enough that Dr. Goodberry wouldn't have any trouble with her gender.

Of course that was probably less important than that the urchin's features were shifting slowly to become familiar enough to recognize her as your companion Koko. Glancing around to double-check that no one was close enough to overhear she offered a cheeky smile. "So, anyone else figured out what we're up against yet, or should I start by sharing what we aren't?"

Once the group is gathered enough to quietly and conveniently share and she's been able to reclaim her weaponry from whomever was kind enough to carry it for her, (if none were it will be back at the storefront), she explains that she spent the day with the street urchins. And that while they are almost certainly to blame for the thefts themselves, it appears that the situation appears to be a classic. Someone, or thing, that is powerful and or dangerous enough has been recruiting them, by hook, crook or bribe, she isn't certain yet, to do the thieving for it. Who or whatever it is has them frightened enough of it not to speak too carelessly, and its highly unlikely that there are any kobolds involved at all.

She finishes with, "So I could probably learn some more details, specifics, methods, maybe even be inducted into the core group of little thieves if we want to spend the time. What do you think?"

perception rolled 18, +8 skill, = 26

[Squall255]

When Goodberry finally recognizes Koko (despite her efforts, it took him a little longer than it should have) he welcomes her back into the Grove, allowing for all of this to be shared telepathically while they walk through the streets, without having to worry about being overheard.

[Kadi]

Leah smiles as she sees the little shifter shift back into a bigger shifter. To her, it was a fantastical sight to behold and somewhere deep inside, she was a tiny bit envious. Not that she would ever admit to that, but the games that would open up to her if she could do that... Be that as it may, Leah returned Koko her equipment from one of the pouches on her Handy Haverbelt while listening to the story from the street kids.

Koko: "[...] What do you think?"

Leah: "I say you learn as much as you can without getting too close. Whatever has them spooked, I'd think you don't want to meet it alone. In the meantime I'll check out the eatery Gadget and Goodberry found. The hole there is clearly suspicious and the staff or some regulars might know something. Besides, varied information is always good."

Leah looks around to see what the others think.

[Mr_Praetorian]

After climbing his way back to the surface, Gadget rejoins the party.

"We should translate our understanding of the tunnels to the local militia, and we may want to suggest someone keeps tabs on the exit that leads to the storage for the eatery. It appears likely that location may be the next target." Gadget states telepathically.