Kai catches the eye of the fairy.

Why would a fairy be following me? he thought to himself, but before he had a chance to confront the fairy about what it's doing, he was confronted by the pair of men after his footwear.

"My boots?" Kai replied in a confused tone.

Grabbing his silver chakram, Kai held it up before the larger man before him.

"You're drunk, now sod off, or you will have more than a hangover in the morning."

18:35, Today: Kai Wasser rolled 2,4 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4.  Intimidation.
Not a great roll, hopefully they roll poorly for Spirit to resist...

21:12, Today: Brightkin rolled 2,2 using D8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2.  Spellcasting fear spell.

Spend a, bennie

21:14, Today: Brightkin rolled 13,1 using D8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+5)13,1.  Spellcasting fear

Brightkin watched as the group of men approached and got the sense that they meant his new friend harm.... Calling forth his fairy magic he attempted to cast his fear illusion but he'd mist a hand gesture in his rush....

Calming himself he recast thsi time with a satisfying smile on his face his spell took form

From the shadows of a nearby alley the biggest bull mastiff storked into the glow of the street lamps....
It moved with menace as it topped just in front of the hunter facing the group of me....

It's back arched and it's heckles raised as its massive Jaws pulled back to show a mouth full of large and dangerous looking teeth..... A low unearthly growl eminated from between them....

It was obvious for all to see this beast was there to protect it's master and these men would have to go through him to get to him

The men see the dog and instantly start sobering up.

"Boys! That's a big mutt"

The illusion lets out a fearsome low roar as it get closer to the men.

"I'm not getting bit", one of them says as he runs off.

Within seconds the group is cleared and the two are left alone once again.

The little fairy flew out of the shadows and hovered in front of the witch hunter's face a smug smile playing across his own.

Atcthe same time the monstrous bull mastiff became ghost like and quickly faded away.

there you go... No need to thank me for saving your life.... I'm sure on a good day you could have taken them but I'm hungry and would like to sup before too late..... And you fighting would have delayed that happening..... Oh and you can call me Brightkin..... he added offering the huge man his small hand

When Kai saw the dog appear, he knew it wasn't his. She was at the stables with the pony.

Then, when the fairy appeared and the dog faded away, he knew what was going on.

"Oh trust me, thanks aren't needed. What brings you all the way into the city, Brightkin?" He replied, gently taking the fairy's small hand and shaking it.

"And why in the hells have you been following me?"

The fairy looked a little sheepish it's a long story but my queen banished me for a misunderstanding and I must stay away for a year and a day.... I must prove to her I am worthy..... I saw you at the market and thought if I was going to prove myself then I needed to accompany someone who has potential to help me do it..... So I chose you
The replied with a, wide smile as it had already been settled that he would accompany the man

oh and I liked your little doggie he added

Out the corner of Kai's eye his spots something he did not see before. A shop with the lights on, lamps lit people inside. Not strange on first thought you most likely think but why would a shop be open in the middle of the night? With the rat plague hounding the city, it seems out of place. Could be nothing. Might be something.

"Next time, ask the person, rather than stalk them, when you want help from someone." Kai replied, before following up with "And yeah, she is a good girl."

They're open late. Wonder what they sell at this hour? Kai thought to himself, seeing the lights from a shop open long after everything else has closed.

"Come on." Kai said to Brightkin. "I'm Kai, by the way."

Heading to the shop, Kai looked to see if it was a shop that would be of interest to him, or something mundane like a candlemaker, using the darkness to help advertise their wares.

well master Kai I was not stalking you.... If I had been you would not have seen me.... No I was observing you to make sure you were worthy of my friendship.... the smile was stl on his face.

Nodding he hovered over the witch hunters left shoulder as they moved towards the shop

Inside of the shop you find that there is a person standing talking to a person behind the counter. You can only assume that it's the shop keeper themselves.

The outside of the building says, "Silver's Maps & Odds". Appears to be somewhat of a random shop of thickets and maps. It still does not answer why it open?

Mere moments ago...

Aeress threw her cloak back and entered the shop.  The door struck the bell, which annoyed her.  The truth was Aeress was a little annoyed, even though she understood why she had to come back for it.  If it were actually here, it'd be worth it.

Though... could she afford it?  The fact he hadn't been willing to show it implied he thought it was valuable.  Well, it was valuable, but it wasn't... valuable.  Yeah that made no sense.

If it were here, well... okay it wouldn't fix anything, but she would want it.

Presently...

"So, do you truly have an authentic House Veles signet ring?"  Aeress asked critically, surveying the store and its many maps and miscellanies.  She was skeptical the shop did, but intrigued that it may.

"Silver's Maps & Odds. I know I could do with a map of this place, and always intrigued by the odd. Coming with me?" Kai asked Brightkin, before opening the door and heading in.

(Assuming they have no reason to say no).

Opening the door and causing the bell to ring, Kai nodded as he entered, and began to peruse the wares, not disturbing the conversation currently ongoing.

Brightkin flew in and alighted on Kai's shoulder looking round the place from his vantage point

As you walk into the shop you are greeted by the two people doing business. The half-elf behind the counter looks a little startled. He turns to the girl, "We will have to continue this later."

He looks at the guest, "Welcome to Silver's fellow travelers. What brings you out this late at night? May I interest you in some rare tea that can cure the worst of conditions or maybe your interested in maps?"

The half-elf gives a very fake performance.

OOC: Make a perception roll. You can all do it.

16:22, Today: Brightkin rolled 5,3 using D8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3.  Notice roll

"Good evening to you. I was on my way back from the Silent Cathedral, when I saw the light was on here, and thought I would see what you have, and do. I'll pass on the tea, though I would be interested in your maps, or other curios you may have."

16:54, Today: Kai Wasser rolled 3,5 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5.  Notice.
Same as brightkin, just the other way around!

Well that was rude.  Aeress stood there aghast at the shop-keep's terrible manners!  What kind of establishment was this!?

16:06, Today: Aeress Veles rolled 5,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2.  Notice.

You all notice pretty quickly that in the corner of the shop their a stack of things that don't fit into the shop. While the shop sells trinkets and what not this is clothes and supplies. Something doesn't make any sense.

The shop keep apologizes to Aeress, "Sorry my lady. I am trying to be polite to our *ahem* guest."

He turns back to the guest, "We have all manner of bobs and doodads.".

He walks from behind the counter and grabs a map of the city. "Maybe this would tickle your fancy?", he smiles.

Kai looked at the map that the shopkeeper produced.

"It would, for the right price. I wouldn't want to robbed, simply for being new to your fair city."

Aeress couldn't believe this!  After a moment she found her voice.

"What kind of business do you run where you ignore one patron just because another walks in?  I should have been suspicious of this whole situation, what kind of trader asks you to come back later to speak about an item?  This is no kind of business and I doubt you ever had anything I wanted."

She shook her head.  She turned toward the strangers, or at least the big one.  "I beg you sir, buy nothing from here for any price and take your custom elsewhere.  This is ridiculous.  My dealings here have been most irregular."

The man turns to Aeress, "I am sorry my dear. Due to the nature of that item. We clearly have to keep it under wraps. I will work out a discount for you shortly once we can deal with these travelers concerns."

You get that the man is trying to give you a hint but you aren't sure why. What is his reasoning for all this?

He then turns back to Kai, "I could part with the map for new less than 35 gold pieces. Look at these details and textures, it takes some time to have a map like this created."

The half-elf strangely stops in the middle of talking to Kai and walks over to the counter.

He looks at all of you with a glare, "Interesting lot you are."

You see him reach down and push something under the counter. He then whispers for a few seconds before you see him cast something. A second later you hear and see gas coming up from the floors of Silvers. The effects of the gas take hold of your lungs as you feel yourself slip into darkness. The man chuckles to himself as the last image you see is him standing over you laughing.

OOC: I will be moving all of you to scene 2 shortly. I'll let you roleplay the effect if you wish otherwise expect a new post soon.

Brightkin looked at the woman and for a split second thought he might have chosen the wrong person to give his abilities to... Then he sighed and decided to stick with Kai after all..... He was uptight but didn't seemed nearly as wound up as she was.... Just then he noticed the shop keep press something by the counter and heard the hiss of gas.... He took flight trying to make it to the roof to find a route out

"You... bastard!"  Aeress struggled for a better invective as she hissed at him and lunged forward, only to come up short.  She even crawled a step or two like that was going to do any good before passing out.

OOC: Continue this thread in chapter 1: scene 2: Hostage Situation