Gripping his quarterstaff, Xander lowers his hood as he turns to face the paladin "Isaac, we do not know who or what is controlling them if anyone is at all. What Brokk saw could be something, or could be someone watching from above. Mayhaps its the one who os controlling them. But that is conjuncture. We're guessing and not solving anything. I want to find out who is doing this as the machines killed another libarian in front of us and I am also looking for a friend that went missing. There is something about a plague as well. Mayhaps they are connected or perhaps they are. We don't know. And Bucko just wants to cause as much trouble as he can. That doesn't help." He looks over at Bucko "Right Bucko? You just want to shoot things? Thats not why I asked you to help. You do realize this? Probably not. I hope I can explain it to you further and you attempt to grasp it. Its not that I am trying to be mean, I am trying to get you to understand what is going on. Shooting first isn't the best option. And we all know Vermina and what she is capable of, yet some have their secrets." Glancing at Brook he sighs "It seems like you beliave they were being controlled and yet have no proof, and believe this person was the culprit. Again, its what you believe with little proof. We should find out what is real and what is not. Facts. And listening to Bucko isn't a wise move." He kneels down to be eye to eye with Bucko "Not that we do not listen, my friend. That is not what I ment. What I mean..." He sighs "Your help would be appreciated, Isaac."

<quote Brokk Grunk>

"Yeah, I'm pained Isaac.  Whatever you can do, I would appreciate it."
Nodding, the Paladin calls on the blessing of his Goddess and healing magic glows brightly around his hand as he traces over the wounds remaining in Brokk's flesh, the energies knitting the wounds and rebuilding as needed. "There! That should bring you back up to fighting trim, for our next battle!"

OOC I'll roll three healing - tell me how many you need so I can track uses.
10:20, Today: Isaac Harvester rolled 13 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,5,2.  Lay on Hands.

"Okay, so what is our next steps, Xander? We can still be wary of a possible mastermind behind your foes, as such an attack is unlikely to be the only one if they wanted you all dealt with. Do we find the shop-owner or their remains next? I saw you at that back door - shall we?" Isaac prepares to ram his shield into the door, if needed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:28, Tue 19 July 2022.

"My foes? I didn't want these enemies and they attacked the group. They went at all of your friends. As far as I know I have no enemies. Does that go against your code, Isaac? Not helping people who are in need and are your friends as well? A strange code." Xander felt like he was being attacked by the accucastion. Its been a rough night "Perhaps we were at the wrong place at the wrong time. Or the right place. I don't know." Perhaps trusting Isaac isn't a wise move but he's a holy warrior.

In reply to Xander Xalus (msg # 113):

A bit taken aback by the barrage, Isaac replies "I'm not sure what you're implying, Xander, but my 'code' isn't so narrow-minded. We do what we must to promote the good and defeat the evil, if it can't be turned. All else is narrative to that goal, and helping friends is just common sense."

Bucko shakes his head at the two of them....

"Yous both talks too much with too many words, we no time for words now, we is trying to finds who murders librabrians and also other things to do as well, no times for talks in the rain, we talks later on by the fire aith all who wants to say a lot, then Bucko can drink...err listen to yous both."

Bucko decides he is going to see about the upstairs, for all he knows the gnome is bleeding out somewhere up there.....

Bucko goes on not waiting for the others.....

Seeing Bucko heading up, Isaac follows as well, more suited to action over debate. Sword and shield at the ready, he prepares for possible foes.

As the goblin goes up the stairs, the door slams open and the gnome stares at him but has a interesting weapon-a pistol with a glowing end "Don't move. Drop yer gun. Try anything an' you won't like that outcome." Its hard to tell if he even saw anyone but the gnome seems focused on Bucko "You all talk too damn much. Specially you, goblin. All that messed up way yah talk. I said drop it. Don't make me ask twice. Who in bloody hell are you?" Everyone can hear him but its hard to really see him besides Bucko. Going up the stairs-bad idea. Well it can be.

Bucko sets his musket down...puts his hands up...

"Gnome is my friend we looks for him, worried he is in troubles."

Bucko sticks a thumb towards his chest...
"I be Bucko Rackingclaw."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:09, Wed 20 July 2022.

Brokk gets behind something so he isn't accidentally shot by his employer.  He calls out to him, "Hey Boss!  It's me Brokk.  These're my friends with me. Dont shoot, I'm coming out."

 Vermina is willing to continue on with the others, but hearing the aggressive threatening to shoot, She would hide her smaller body behind her larger friends.

Isaac helpfully makes himself the thing Brokk gets behind, his considerable bulk a solid mass against accidents. "Now, let's stay peaceful and un-flamed, or whatever that weapon does. We're looking for your safety, after all." he says, putting his sword away.

As long as Isaac doesn't mind, he will take the human shield option peeking out behind him as he talks to the Gnome.

Bucko keeps his hands up....

Bucko spends some time thinking carefully and he manages to say.

"You said we so loud and talks loud so you know we are supposed to be here and are concerned for our friend."

"Everyone drop yer damn weapons. Now!" The gnome keeps the gun up aimed at the goblin "Brokk? That you? Son of a damn..." Though it apparently means he knows the others, he keeps the weapon still ready "Bloody good fer nothin' crazy constructs came in here and wrecked my shop! My beautiful shop!"

"Everyone relax and put your weapons away! Yeah boss, it's me!  They attacked us at the tavern as I dropped off what you had given me to deliver."

Brokk sheathes his own kukri and waves at the Goblin, " He's a little ticked off right now and he'll shoot you."
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:47, Sat 23 July 2022.

"We fought some o them constructs at the bar, just a bit ago....we brought them here to sells for scraps.  You go see we hads to fights them, you finds bullet holes in one o them for sure, we gots even fer yer shop!  We find out who send em and we can get hims too!..."


Bucko pauses...
"I plans to shoot his face, whens I finds it."

The ratfolk is a bit more relaxed now that people are no longer threatening each other and yelling. Vermina is still a bit wary though and still hiding a little bit behind Brokk, but not as much anymore. Some spooks her probably the gnome yelling and she shifts off behind everyone and steps outside. Out of sight, out of mind.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:35, Mon 25 July 2022.

Standing more like a guard than a barrier now, he sheathes his sword and slings his shield, letting the conversation flow past him. Seeing how things seem under control and not adversarial, Isaac heads back downstairs to watch for these aforementioned construct-raiders at the main door.

Brokk and looks at Bucko, "Lower your damn gun Bucko!  He's not our enemy!"  Brokk next steps out from behind Isaac.  "C'mon boss.  Cooler heads prevail.  We're all good here.  Matter of fact, Isaac here is a Paladin!  How much more gooder do you need?"

OOC: Brokk is assuming that Bucko is talking about shooting the Gnome in the face?

Bucko points at the stairs and his musket on the ground...

"I already did!  We are all friends here!"

"WHat in bloody hell is that damn goblin even saying fer crying out loud. Make some damn sense you little...well..." The gnome grumbles, keeping the gun at Bucko "I don't trust anyone that worship anyhing. Yah know that. All that there taking their noses and shoving them so far up their..." He finally puts the gun in his belt and starts to head down "Move it!" He mutters.

Seeing nothing of note in the empty streets, Isaac turns back to face the interior, wondering where the true enemy hides.

Brokk will make sure he gets out of the way of his boss and ask, "Any idea what happened here boss?"

Bucko keeps his hands up and heads down the stairs as instructed....

"Someone talk sense to tha gnome before he narrows the gap between mah ears for me."

"Maybe if you made -sense- with the way you talked. I strongly suggest yah keep yer trap shut before I close it fer good. My shop is bloody trashed and I don't want tah hear you doing stuff with your mouth I don't understand. Will someone tell me what the hell he's trying to say? Keep talking goblin and I'll narrow the gap, oh I definatly will. No head." Wel he's upset and taking it out on Bucko. Course not even Xander can't make sense of him half the time.

Xander steps up and rests a hand on Bucko's shoulder and looks at the gnome "I am sure the libary can help out with the repairs. And we got some construct parts we can part ways with. For free. Right Bucko?" His eyes narrow on the goblin next to him "We have some questions if you don't mind and lookng for a friend. Something about a plague and do you know if someone was controlling them?"

The gnome grumbles and grabs a chair. He sits it up and sits down "Dunno. Damn construct  came here and wrecked this place. No rhyme or reason. I was upstairs and I peered down. Yah don't live as long as I do by mouthin' off or taking chances." He rubs his chin "Well I'd check the contrusts but as yah can tell I got others things tah tend to. But I guess I can take a quick look." Grumble grumble. He drops down.

This entire place looks like a bomb went off.