Scene One: No Good Deads...

[jameswilliamogle]

The male halfling looks quite nervous, now.  "What do you mean, sir?  You guys are just...  interesting!"

All but klerik -

They don't seem to be up to anything; they haven't really given any cause to believe otherwise.  Just curious halflings, as far as you can tell.

klerik -

OK, you sense there's some ulterior motive here...  What it is, you cannot discern, but these two are up to no good, without a doubt.  Whether or not its appropriate to act on that, though...  Well, I'll leave that up to you.

[Prak, the Mad]

"In my experience halflings don't pretend to be children just for shits and giggles. I'd like to point out that picking anyone's pockets in this group would be a very bad idea. So what's the deal? Why the ruse?"

[jameswilliamogle]

"Huh?  Uhm, we weren't pretending to be children, mister.  This is as big as I can get!  And I'm the BIGGEST halfling in my family!"

OOC: They never pretended to be children, actually.  Hardly anyone has Knowledge Local (including Baragos - I don't think he'd know what typical halfling behavior would be - but he might just be talkin' trash, which is fine, too).

[Prak, the Mad]

"I know how big halflings get, and while I don't pretend to be an expert in the behaviours of the various races, I somehow doubt that even the most curious and exploritory adult halfling acts that much like a child of one of the tall races. But then, like I said, I don't have much experience in the ways of halflings, so, tell me there's no trick here*, and I'll apologize" Baragos says, heavy enough on the icy menace to make sure the halfling knows he means business, but being quiet enough to not alert the whole city that he's picking on pretty much the littlest guys in town.
"Professor, let me know if you can actually hear me, I don't really know how this works, but what's your take on this?"

[mans0011]

"I know how big halflings get, and while I don't pretend to be an expert in the behaviours of the various races, I somehow doubt that even the most curious and exploritory adult halfling acts that much like a child of one of the tall races. But then, like I said, I don't have much experience in the ways of halflings, so, tell me there's no trick here*, and I'll apologize" Baragos says, heavy enough on the icy menace to make sure the halfling knows he means business, but being quiet enough to not alert the whole city that he's picking on pretty much the littlest guys in town.
"Professor, let me know if you can actually hear me, I don't really know how this works, but what's your take on this?"

Kanatash's telepathy comes from his psicrystal. He does have mindlink, but only uses that when it's REALLY needed. So, no, he can't hear your thoughts right now. Luckily, he's pretty smart anyway, and can tell from body language and context that it's time to chill.

<<Baragos, let's hold for a moment. We don't want to tip our hand, too much. I don't know what these little ones are playing at, but they may not be malign. If I were you, I would communicate to them the grave nature of their interaction with us and, unless they have business, to move along. Were is Selectra, anyway...?>>

I will put general telepathy in the << >> and I'll spoil any private telepathic communications.

[Prak, the Mad]

Baragos looks at the professor and nods, and then turns back to the halfling, "Sorry, we're all being a bit paranoid here, since someone's gone to some pretty impressive lengths to track us down. I don't know about the others, but I definitely didn't want to be found. Something didn't smell right here, but, maybe that's just the little dog-lizard." he says, shooting a smirk to Dragon.

[PhaedrusXY]

Are you rolling Sense Motive for all of us then?

[jameswilliamogle]

Are you rolling Sense Motive for all of us then?

indeed.  psicrystals too.
 
I thought I said this, but just to be clear - I'll be rolling the following - spot, sense motive, listen, knowledge checks, initiatives when it matters (though you can post what you are going to out of turn, np).  You can also post that your character is actively using these skills, but otherwise I'll be rolling it.

This always made sense to me - they're all passive skills.

Cross-posting in the "houserules" section.

[Kaelik]

Under the initial foray, Dragon's only response is to float higher up, getting himself out of reach of the children/halflings. He otherwise shows no reaction  to the entire conversation, even insults.

[jameswilliamogle]

Under the initial foray, Dragon's only response is to float higher up, getting himself out of reach of the children/halflings. He otherwise shows no reaction  to the entire conversation, even insults.

OOC-We can say you're about 15' up (if that's acceptable - realize that in this town there may be consequences - if you're uncomfortable with that, let me know - I know I'd freak out if someone was floatin "on high").

[Prak, the Mad]

OOC-well for that matter he could just ride on my sword, that's about 15'

[jameswilliamogle]

OOC-well for that matter he could just ride on my sword, that's about 15'

OOC - That's what SHE said!  But, otherwise, that works for me, if you guys are willing.

[mans0011]

OOC-well for that matter he could just ride on my sword, that's about 15'

OOC - That's what SHE said!  But, otherwise, that works for me, if you guys are willing.

Oh. My. God!! I am SOOOO Sigging this.!

[PhaedrusXY]

"Well, I think we've caused enough of a ssscene. Why don't we step inside and meet our benefactor, unless someone elssse has more to add to the conversation?"

Greth's psicrystal crawls back up underneath his backpack, and hides.

[mans0011]

"Well, I think we've caused enough of a ssscene. Why don't we step inside and meet our benefactor, unless someone elssse has more to add to the conversation?"

Greth's psicrystal crawls back up underneath his backpack, and hides.

That would be wise, Greth.

To Psylar

<<Keep a look out. I don't know what's going on here, but I don't really feel easy. Keep me informed and updated about anything of note.>> James

You can speak for Psylar, if you want. Or I can do it, makes no difference to me.

[jameswilliamogle]

Just at that moment, you hear a loud crash, followed by a bunch of shouts.  From the north of where you are standing, the cage holding the grey beast has broken open, and the creature has jumped out of its cage, aggressively roaring at the crowd of on-lookers.  People are running away from the scene, and the halflings you were conversing with are also talking "Lemmee see!  Lemmee see!  OUCH!  Look out mister, I'm walking here!"  They then seem to blend in with the crowd.

<<<map coming soon!>>>
<<<no surprise round for either side>>>
<<<let me know what your "intentions" would be regarding the monster; if you guys were going to just run away, then we can skip this part, lol, but that doesn't seem in-character for at least a few of you>>>

I'll make appropriate knowledge checks, initiative checks, here in a second.  I'm thinking that I'm going to do an excel sheet like the arena matches.

[PhaedrusXY]

Intention:

shoot it

[jameswilliamogle]

Combat Map.
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=r-XqVWIAWnCAhNLgbCp7izQ

The orange area on the left is 10' up to the next (last) level of Waukeen's Promenade. 
The pink structure is the address of interest.
Grey thing is the monster.
Light blue are stairs (1/2 movement up or down, unless flying).
Blue is the crowd - they move south at 30' per round.  Moving through a crowd is 1/2 movement, and you take a -2 to d20 rolls.
Your character's first initials are on your square (I've got Dragon 15' up, too, but I don't know why that didn't translate over to the google docs).

You guys can tell me wherever your psicrystals are, and I can put them on the map later.  I prefer for them to go on their owner's initiative (if thats unacceptable, let me know).

Initiative -
Hazael - 22
Crowd - 19
Dragon - 18 (you used Nerveskitter)
Baragos - 15
Prof K - 13
Greth - 12 (yep.  I rolled a 1.)
Adrian - 5
Monster - 2

Knowledge Checks -
Dragon -

You know that this is a Gray Render, that in jungle and natural conditions, can grow to humongous proportions.  This is one of those.  You do not remember any details about how they change under those situations.  Normal Gray Renders are brutish magical beasts, little more than walking muscles and rage.

Prof K -

This seems like a Grey Render, but it is way bigger than any grey render you've ever seen!  You know from your check that gray renders are magical beasts...  BUT, you aren't entirely sure that's what it is.

Hazael, Adrian -

You think this is some sort of magical beast, but you aren't entirely sure of what exactly it is.

[Prak, the Mad]

Rage, that should make a pretty damned good path, then run to monster and melee. Assuming the  crowd does part, I can get to the monster in a single move action and make an attack.

[jameswilliamogle]

Rage, that should make a pretty damned good path, then run to monster and melee. Assuming the  crowd does part, I can get to the monster in a single move action and make an attack.

There's too much crowding for anyone to count on the crowd dispersing for a while, unfortunately.  You do have other tactical options, however.