Andrea takes the locket and a piece of clothing. Thank you for your help, unfortunatly it doesn't seem to be a good time right now since our friends are waiting for us to deal with some other problems.
Andrea will make sure to ask the sergant where the warehouse was and about the rabbit holes before headeding back tot he Safehouse with the others.
The sergeant would reply "The rabbit holes were a few blocks away from the ambush site, they were areas that had easy escape routes, including the use of the sewers, if necessary. Some sewer guides where suppose to be there to assist if necessary, never met them myself."
Andrea, John, Fluer and Orsin eventually make their way through the rain back to the safehouse. A crowd is there including a new face belonging to a huge half-orc, he has vaguely familiar features.
Welcome back guys. Find out anything new? I would love to know the whereabouts of the wizard from the docks.
Truk's attention is quickly drawn away from Lucrezia and her teasing to the newcomers, especially the calistran priestess and darkly dressed elf.
Shelyn blesses me. Where do these women come from?
The big orc offers a nod and a sharp bow.
"Truk'tosh."
Andrea nods to Truk'tosh. Hello, I am Andrea.
Andrea turns to Faelyn. Unfortunately, the mercenaries we talked to did not know much about the wizard. However, we did get some information on who hired them and some other tidbits.
Andrea then tells the others the information she got from the captures mercenaries.
So, we might be able to track them by scrying if the Missepes and Grulios are willing to release one. I do have some personal possessions that can help. This may enable us to ambush them if possible. I have expended many of my miracles today though so we might need to wait.
Andrea takes a small drink of water to quench her parched throat. Has there been any progress with finding out more information about the summoning contest?
Truk is a bit put off by the calistran's dismissive introduction.
I'm going to have to work for this one. Is what they say about Calistran's false?
"I suggested we pose as muggers and attack the champion before the bout in order to draw out some of his more powerful spells but Lucrezia doesn't think it's worth the risk."
"Do you believe you can beat him in a straight up fight?" Truk asks the wizard.
'So they claim Julistarc and Mezinas hired them to stall Grulios, that is interesting. I understand Mezinas is teetering on an edge, as major noble house, especially if the Missepe's are realigning with the Grulios House. That would wreck economic disaster for the Mezinas's, and although they are a major noble house they do pale is size, wealth and power to the Grulios. The Mezinas's would need help from above their status and it makes sense they align with another major house."
She ponders the information, "Wasn't that bandit you all caught in the sewers from the Cemaine family? That family is minor noble family beholden to the Julistarc's...is that coincidence?"
"We just heard from sources that it was House Cemaine who hired 3 score of mercenaries for the docks and protection."
Continuing to connect thoughts and the dots, "The mercs mentioned they had sewer guides waiting?"
Her big brown eyes get wide, "Andrea who was the thug in the sewers from last year...and...didn't you see one with a noble...in a...in a ..." her mind searching for the end of the thought.
I am afraid I can't remember right now who that bandit was. I will need to think on it for a while.
[b]I do remember that the bandit in the sewers was named Henk and he was leader of the Red Knives. I saw him meeting with one of the Drovanges in an inn, isn't that correct Fiosa?
Edit.. Yes the bandit we caught was from the Cemaine family. I can't remember his first name though.
The big orc's head visibly spins as he tries to keep track of all the names being dropped.
"Are these noble families and mercenaries connected to this wizard battle we're attending tomorrow?"
Not that I know of, these names belong to those we encountered over the past year. Frankly I get rather confused as well.
Andrea starts making notes on a large sheet of parchement on what the team has done and needs to do.
"Yes, these are noble families but I don't think they are part of tomorrow's contest." Janiven replies. I am forgetting that some of the members are new and not familiar with all the prior doings. "Truk, Faelyn, Fluer the folks we were discussing are powerhouses involved in political infighting and power struggle. There is a brewing civil war amongst the 12 major noble Wiscrani and their lesser beholden noble families. Power breeds corruption at times." She looks around to make sure everyone is following, "There have been a lot of suspicious activity and circumstances happening over the last year, and we've been caught up in the middle at times."
"There have been a lot of suspicious activity and circumstances happening over the last year, and we've been caught up in the middle at times."
Orsin suppresses a snort. "That's putting it lightly," he chuckles.
"So are you going to scout out this competition site?
Truk nods.
"Makes sense."
"So are you going to scout out this competition site?
Yes. I believe having Lucrezia and Fluer would be good candidates to head out with Faelyn.
The big orc frowns at being left out.
"What did you have planned for me?" he asks the stunning priestess.
"You can come with my group. Faelyn needs someone to look like a badass bodyguard follow us around as part of his 'entourage'. Best not to risk anyone wanting to mess with him before the match. You can handle yourself in a fight, right?"
Janiven, and others, bid the group farewell, "Be safe...nothing rash."
It's late the day before about 4 pm.
I will go to check things out at least since I may very well be lending aid. Fiosa, how about you come with us? We can have dinner at that wonderful inn afterwards. Or Second dinner if we go later.
"I can do a lot more than that...", Truk says with a soft growl.
"Let's go, all of us. The elf being seen with women as good looking as you three can only help his reputation."
Fiosa, Andrea, Faelyn, Lucrezia and Truk leave the safehouse during the inclement weather. The few folks that are out on the street give you strange double looks, seeing a human, elf, half-elf, hafling and half-orc hurrying through the streets towards the northern gate. At the gate, the dottari stop the group. The pompous looking group stops you, "State your purpose for entering the Northern district.'
Sarg...they'd't looklikethey'd be upto anything legal throughsthe gate," a shifting looking guard says barely breaking his words. Nut'ng but troubleifs yeaskme Sarg" His nose running slightly.
Several guards step forward to take a good look at the unusual companions.
Truk whispered a prayer, asking for Shelyn's grace in dealing with these fools.
"We have some brief business beyond the wall. It's nothing that the dottari need to trouble themselves over. Let us pass and you'll forget we were ever here", the big orc says calmly.
Indeed, we have absolutely nothing illegal in mind. My goodness, you look miserable. Perhaps a blessing so you can hopefully enjoy a warm cider or meal later?
The unfriendly looking guard wipes his running nose with the back of his hand, "'Dat don't putfuud on me table." He grimaces some then spit near the half-orc's feet. "Bah, guud riddance...but ye may notbe welcomed back without a toll." His blackened teeth show.
After the group is past the guards, Truk glances at Andrea.
"I should have figured a sweet thing like you would know your way around fools like those guards. I'll let you do the talking from here on. I'm more likely to get them started", the big orc says with a nod.
Andrea's smirks. Bribery is part and parcel in Westcrown, it just depends on how you phrase it. A few coins in their palms will let us back through with no problems.
After getting your bearings you find your way near the Devildrome, there are quite few people loitering about the streets regardless of the rain.
Andrea looks about..
Was it just the rain, or did something else send a chill up Andrea's back?
Truk holds up a meaty hand to block the rain while he looks around.
Fluer quickly buys the widest, most over sized hat she can to protect herself from the worst of the rain.
Lucrezia pulls up the hood of her cloak as she peers around.
You see there are three cloaked figures standing under porch, they sort of turn and look your way as you walk on the street. Across the way, there is another group of three figures hanging out. There is movement in second floor window above one of groups. Roughly 100 feet in front of you at the end of the street is semi-crumbling group of buildings with the northern wall at its back. From Lucrezia's description those are the buildings where the games are held.
In front of the building there are five armed bodyguards standing guard around under a makeshift awning. There looks to be some sort of barred window near the large double oak and steel doors.
Fluer quickly buys the widest, most over sized hat she can to protect herself from the worst of the rain.
It's late summer, early fall, the month is Arodus but is unseasonably cool today.
Andrea will nudge anyone who seems not to notice the figures.Just be wary, this is a bad part of the city(which is saying something.) Andrea loosens her mace just in case of trouble.
Truk stands up as straight as possible in hopes that his imposing size will deter any would-be attackers.
"We should keep moving. I feel like this whole area is watching us."
Fluer/Shadow, from beneath her floppy hat, watches the watchers who might be watching the other watchers whom are all now probably watching the approaching group she is in.
So, I wonder if they will let us in to see the arena. If Faelyn introduces himself as a contestant we might be able to get a tour.
As you walk down the street you can feel the eyes on you, you also sense that the figures on either side of the road are armed. The cloaked gaurds in front of the building step forward a bit fanning out. Two have bulges under their cloaks, that resemble heavy crossbows. While the two other loosen their cloaks to reveal longswords. The last one is leaning on his orc double axe.
"Can we 'elp you," one of the men asks, he is large but he looks small standing near the half orc with the axe.
It is definitely worth a try. Faelyn walks over to the guards. Evening men. I will be a contestant here tomorrow. May I have a look around inside?
His chiseled face twitches, "What's 'he name?"
Faelyn Sindrel at your service. Faelyn gives a slight bow. I am new to the games and could use some advice.
Andrea. I will be assisting Faelyn during his bout.
"Boss said you might come by," he nods "advice...summon a stronger creature and out think the Champ." One of the other men chuckle. The half-orc opens the door, "the contestant's here he says to others in the lobby."
You do notice the barred window is a closed ticket window.
Andrea will follow Faelyn inside.