At the counting house threshold, the unfamiliar goblin paladin crouches beside a bloodless smear and a torn strip of black cloth marked with blue paint. The rear door stands ajar.
Beelz
The gnome is close. We hunt now, before he reaches the river quarter and burns the stolen file.
The unfamiliar goblin paladin rises and plants herself across the narrow entrance. Beyond her, dim shelves and merchant ledgers fill the counting house, while the smear trails toward a rear passage.
King Gandien
No. We do not charge through a merchant house on one clue. Witnesses must see the search, and every room must be entered lawfully.
Delly
He is right about the records. These books belong to several city merchants. A careless search could ruin innocent people as surely as Pike did.
The argument holds at the doorway while the stolen file remains somewhere beyond the dark passage. Dust near the threshold bears one fresh, compact footprint turned toward the counting room.
King Gandien
Dagg, you found the trail. Tell us what you see, and we will proceed without giving the thief time to destroy his prize.
✓ Quest Accepted
Recover the stolen file
“Beelz, can you tell us more about your oath? I want to know what will happen when we find this gnome. Talk as we walk and we can discuss the justice that this gnome will face once we find him.”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled +0)
Dagg Nabbitt
Beelz, tell us more about your oath. What happens when we find this gnome? We can talk while we walk, and discuss the justice he will face.
Dagg’s questions keep the search moving through the counting house, though his relaxed pace lingers whenever a ledger catches his eye. He reads headings and marginal notes as he walks, testing each detail against the case.
Beelz
My oath is simple. Violence is the end, not the means. When we find him, I break his escape, take the file, and leave judgment to the lawful authorities.
Beelz advances beneath the shelves, scanning corners and open doors without touching the merchants’ books. Her answer leaves room for law, but not mercy if the gnome resists.
Beelz
If he surrenders, he is bound and questioned. If he attacks or burns the stolen file, I stop him by force. The magistrate decides his sentence, not my appetite for slaughter.
King Gandien
That is a justice I can endorse. We recover the file, preserve the merchants’ records, and bring the blue-marked gnome before Delly alive if he permits it.
Dagg’s questioning has drawn a clear answer: the search will continue lawfully, and the gnome’s fate depends on his conduct when found. Beelz leads them toward the rear passage as fresh dust marks turn beneath the next doorway.
“Right there! {Dagg looks out a window and sees the black cloak with blue paint on it dash behind a corner} {Dagg sprints after him knowing the little gnome legs can not out run him}”
FAILURE (Poor Athletics, rolled +1)
Dagg Nabbitt
Right there!
Dagg spots the black cloak flash behind the far corner and sprints through the counting house. His relaxed habit makes him hesitate at a fallen ledger, but Steady Under Watch keeps his eyes fixed on the fleeing figure.
The gnome’s shorter stride should surrender the distance, yet Dagg’s poor athletic form loses ground on the cramped turn. He reaches the corner just as the blue-marked cloak slips through a narrow side door.
Dagg lunges, catching only a torn edge of black cloth. The door slams against his shoulder and the gnome escapes into a cramped service court, leaving the stolen file’s corner visible beneath the door.
The failed rush changes the pursuit: the side door is barred from outside, while a low adjoining passage stands open toward the river quarter. The scrap in Dagg’s hand bears the same blue paint as the cloak.
Beelz
He has chosen the river passage. We can cut him off there, but the file is close enough to burn if we press blindly.
King Gandien
Then we use the open passage and keep the evidence in sight. Dagg, show us where his trail turns.
✓ Quest Accepted
Bring the blue-marked gnome before Magistrate Delly
+ New Item Acquired
Blue-marked cloth scrap
“{Dagg grabs the dropped file that was stolen and the three head off to cut the gnome off before he gets to the river} I really need to work on my cardio so I can chase these perpetrators more”
FAILURE (Poor Athletics, rolled +1)
Dagg snatches the stolen file from beneath the side door and tucks it securely against his chest. The blue-marked gnome’s trail cuts into the open river passage.
Dagg Nabbitt
I really need to work on my cardio so I can chase these perpetrators more.
He charges after Beelz and King Gandien, but the cramped passage steals his speed. His relaxed habit shows in the heavy first strides, while Steady Under Watch keeps him from losing the fresh scuffs in the dust.
The three reach the passage fork as a black cloak vanishes beyond the eastern turn. Dagg arrives too late to intercept, but the recovered file is safe in his hands.
Beelz
The file is secured. The gnome chose the eastern cut, toward the water stairs. We can trap him there instead of chasing his heels.
King Gandien
Then we divide the approach. Beelz, take the lower stairs. Dagg and I will close the upper lane before he reaches the river.
The failed sprint has changed the pursuit: the gnome, a slight young adult gnome man with olive skin, a narrow clean-shaven face, cropped brown hair, prominent pointed ears, and a black cloak marked with blue paint, is no longer ahead on one open route, and the stolen file provides proof even if he escapes. The eastern water stairs offer a usable chance to cut him off.
Quest Complete
Recover the stolen file
Skill Upgrade: Athletics Poor→Mediocre
New gift: Secures Documents
+ New Item Acquired
Stolen file