@Wiggin @ShiroKiyoshi @slifer @Elvario @Ur Degaton @Skyhunter @TheEccentric @The_Queer_Alien
(sorry for the delay. site and everything seems spiffy now)(due to the story being split 3 ways for the moment, but posting time may increase to reply to specific groups as they conclude their rounds faster and/or hit things that need world response)
While Kaz, Kyrian, and Kieran hastily made their get away from the scene, Verity and Solomon were able to successfully bring the knights up short of pursuing the 3 runaways. The alarm going off in the museum echoed a few more times in the hall they went down before coming to an abrupt end. Shy of the chamber where the theft had occurred, the hidden tunnel they found was a curious enough find to warrant investigation. As the 3 piled into the narrow crawl space, their path forward quickly steepened before sending all 3 sliding face first into darkness. Only the healer had any chance of slowing themselves. Eventually the trio were deposited in a wet pile with Kieran and Kaz getting minor hurts from the fall (-1). It was pitch black without some form of night vision or light.
Around the three was the echoing sound of running water. They could feel it, among other things, running through their fingers or past their ankles. An overwhelming stench of sewage accompanied the feast for the senses. It would seem some would-be thief of old likely tunneled into the museum on a previous errand and had the means to cover up their entry point. As if the ruined clothes weren't enough, they squeak squeak of giant rats could be heard in large number down the tunnel. Beady eyes, glowing red in the dark, blinked that them menacingly. Behind the party, the tunnel stretched off into darkness, following the flow of dirty water and waste.
Around the same time,
Solomon's words had successfully informed and agitated the newly arrived knights. It was only through Verity's presence that another crime scene hadn't developed. It was also her sense to keep the peace that the captive, whom was no longer being watched or bound, was indirectly pacified enough by her power that he didn't immediately seize the moment to flee. He instead turned to the massive tree and gawked at it for a time. Everyone was a bit slower to act as it turned out. Eventually the Assistant Director lazily mentioned the security guards at the front of the building would be the best ones to speak to regarding matters concerning the evening. He was the first to depart now that the knights were there to secure things and the alarm had been turned off. The knights then lumbered about as if in a dream as they secured the perimeter and chased after an equally sleepy thug who was beginning to get his wits back.
At the front of the Museum of Life, two guard stood on watch. Wearing chainmail and tabard in the green colors associated with the museum and armed with polearms, they made for a menacing display despite not involving themselves in any of the action taking place that evening. Neither moved, but both seemed fully aware of those coming and going into the building at present. Both were present when those who came in through the front arrived.
Elsewhere in town,
Thorne arrived at the shop successfully and was seemingly not followed. Bones was present behind the desk. Between the two men was a varied array of novelty trickets and items of undisclosed purpose. The narrow walkway between the shelves and tables of items between the door and the desk at the back was of creaky floorboards worn from use, but the place didn't seem like one that received much business.
The proprietor wore dark glasses that obscured the view of what seemed like empty eye sockets. However, their emptiness didn't explain how he looked directly at Thorne and said,
"Hmm, another interesting item you have there, boy. Quick, bring it over hear that I might see and do that which needs doing."
His instructions came from a body without lungs or flesh in general, but it was perfectly audible and sounded like a slight man not in old age. Whatever magic that preserved his form was likely responsible. His face lacked all perceivable expression, but his next words were troubling.
"Ahhh, you've done it now, boy. This item was not for the taking and there is not putting it back now...."
