Dinnae be adopting me accent boy, lest ye want me ta take afoot of ye an make ya proper dwarf height. Ye can say 'of' just fine. Plus I want people thinkin a human came up with it. Bit racist but most folks have an easier time followin thier own, if ya know what I mean. Plus tjere ain't THAT many dwarves in Westcrown. Rather me race not get.targeted. The hellknights will have a MUCH harder time lookin fer a human amongst thousands o humans. Rather than a half- elf or dwarf.
"Dunno what you're talking about there, Duncan," Shinon interjects, standing up. "My people find this place quite the safehaven, actually. With everyone here hating on the devil bastards...I mean, tieflings, half-bloods like me are actually pretty well accepted. There's a larger half-elf population in Westcrown than there is anywhere else in Golarion."
"Anyway, I'm glad you're here. I need to talk to you about something important. Long story short, there's some really bad folks running around in the sewers and I want you to help me kill them. I could sprinkle some details here and there, but you seem like a man who prefers people to get to the point, so there it is."
Ye have me sword if ye need it lad. An I only mean we wanna keep the Masses thinkin twas a HUMAN leadin our little gang. The masses eventually are gonna need a figurehead an experience tells me tha average person gonna follow someone they indify with. That's a human for most o the population.
Rizzardo blushes a bit, "I thought it was an 'O' not an 'of' sorry about that."
"Thank you. Now, let me explain the problem. Remember when we were in that sewer, and we met those shady characters who outnumbered us and we paid them to lead us out of the sewer? And remember how they had that secret room that we heard noise coming from? I believe the person in that room was Jospuph Grulios. He is Lord Grulios's son, and he's been missing for 40 days. If he's been gone that long, I doubt the men are going to just kill him, which begs the question 'What do they want?'"
Shinon clenches his hand into a fist and slams his palm against it aggressively. "But that doesn't matter. If these monsters have just been keeping the poor man alive and torturing him every day for the last 40 days, that's unacceptable. We need to get in there and rescue him, or, if I'm wrong, at least we can try and retrieve the body. Anything to keep the family from worrying any longer. A proper funeral would give them some closure."
Gritting his teeth, Shinon finished with, "But most importantly, these monsters need to pay for their crimes. We have to make it so they'll never pull something like this again. I have no mercy for people with such a callous disregard for life. Tell me, will anyone else join me?"
Arael listens from the doorway, then enters to say "Duncan has a good point about having people think its a band of humans, especially with the rumors that the Rack is looking to question dwarf's."
"So what news and rumors do have we been able to gather the last couple days? Do we have an leads?"
I look to the group. "Why bengence? What we what rebenge for?" I ponder for a moment. "How bout Twilight Shinobi. I'm tinkin since we be fightin beast of the night, Twilight is when we start work. A shinobi is warrior of shadows who fights in secret for rord and county. Aways a mysterious da shinobi but bery skirud warriors. Tink on it. I'm going out for a bit."
Without a word I head out the door into Westcrown. I begin to scan the streets trying to identify the place that are safe to walk after dark and the places that aren't.
There is something that I forgot to say in regards to the rings and other items we found in the sewer. The IOU that we found was in regards to the High Warden of the Dottari, Iltus Mhartis being in debt to Jurul Chard. Iltus has a liking for the entertainments that are offered,
Andrea refreshes her throat with some water. From what I learned, the Chards are connected to the House of Phandros. This is all circumstantial, but perhaps if we can learn if Iltus has more debts to Chard, we can turn that to our advantage.
One more thing and this will no doubt be of great interest. Yesterday at a tavern, I noticed Henk from the sewers meeting with a man from the Drovenge house. Fiosa was there as well. As I mentained in the note I left here, Henk is rumored to be the leader of a group of bandits called the Red Knives.
I look to the group. "Why bengence? What we what rebenge for?" I ponder for a moment. "How bout Twilight Shinobi. I'm tinkin since we be fightin beast of the night, Twilight is when we start work. A shinobi is warrior of shadows who fights in secret for rord and county. Aways a mysterious da shinobi but bery skirud warriors. Tink on it. I'm going out for a bit."
Without a word I head out the door into Westcrown. I begin to scan the streets trying to identify the place that are safe to walk after dark and the places that aren't.
Kenji, we have more to discuss.
Arael smiles, "yes, the passion is in this room, I can see it. This was an excellent decision to include each of you in this group. We have a real chance to make a diffirence and increase the quality of life for the Wiscrani residents. Lets hear all the news and see if we can sort through some and decide courses of action."
Janiven, Fiosa, and Mathalen nod approvingly at Kenji's suggestion for the name. "Vengence sounds like rebellion and that could bring the Rack out in force."
Janiven would offer "That she and Kenji met with the 3rd son of the Missepe family, a scribe. He mentioned that family is willing to finance some hunting down of the shadow beasts - 100 Gp for the first one dropped a the gate. Possibly more to follow. What was interesting was he mentioned the KILLINGS and DISAPPERANCES of nobles need to stop."
Looking around, "Something else that was odd that Shinon mentioned yesterday, why would Lord Grulios visit the Missepe family personally?" Arael's eyes flicker with an understanding at what she is getting at.
"The Missepe's are important but it was the 4th son, hardly worthy of bringing out the Lord of the fourth most powerful family in the city. Unless, there is a possiblity there is relationship with the disappearance of Lady Marions's brother, or else they have some powerful business deal between the families."
Ermolos would mention that "Duncan and Gruum recieved a black rose a the smithy shop the other day."
Which is why we leave em chasin shadows. I wasn't the one who even suggested we needed a name. All the people need to know fer now is there a folk out there who'll stand up fer what'sright. We make the night safe, we take care o things the rack won't or can't take care of. But you want real changes in a place that don't allow it, eventually things're gonna get busy. Whadya think the bosses are gonna call us, sides rebels anyway?
Duncan glares atErmolos, I was gettin ta that, lad
"If the Red Knives are really going around targeting noble families, we need to find out why. I don't like the smell of this one bit. If Henk was meeting with the Drovenge...then they are involved somehow. If it was a ransom meeting, there would be no reason for the leader to risk himself, nor would there be any reason that the Drovenge wouldn't just gut him against a wall and threaten to rip his head off if they didn't return the Drovenge scion."
Shinon's eyes widen in disbelief. "If the Drovenge is in control of the Council of Thieves, though, they might be trying to distract or turn the other noble houses against each other so that they can get away with some large-scale plan without interference. Alright, so then we don't kill Henk. We need to question him."
Maurice chuckles a bit "You look like a walkin' tank, course folks want ye to adventure with em'. We have a few days off coming up beginning on Fireday, figure it'll take us two days to smoke 'em out of the rabbit hole.
They get up and put down two silvers for the bar tab, "If ye be interested send word to the station. Figure we can meet here on Fireday say at noon and head out. A group of five or six total would be nice, if ye know any others." Offering his hand.
"very well. I do have some people in mind that might want to help, I'll just need to go talk to them. I'll send word when I get their answers." With that John will head to the safe house.
Ermolos looks down at his callused fingers and starts to pick at his nails.
Arael says, "The Council of Thieves are just legend from the days of old. There is no direct evidence that the council exists. Perhaps, some proclaim to be members or acting as the old council of thieves to try to add bravado."shaking his head in a disbelieving way. "Those foolishly believing they are being recruited by this legend are simply being enlisted to join another common thuggery or bandit group."
I listen a bit at Andrea's request. After hearing little of value I put in. "Our goaru is defeatin da shadow beasts. I want to know what dey are. In order to do dat, I need to encounter dem. I am not foorish enough to try to defeat one, I do want to know what to expect. I go out into town an find praces dey rikely to attack from an den rocate nearest safe prace to run too. Unress one of you know what day are, how many, how dey fight, what weakness dey have, den we wastin time. Now unress you have someting dat herups wit dat, I'm headin out to scout. See you in morning." I go to leave unless someone stops me.
Andrea is a bit overwhelmed at all the talking going on. but gives her suggestion for a name. Perhaps the Roses of Westcrown? Or some other flower based name. To represent a new future that will bloom from our actions. Andrea shrugs a little. Unfortunately I seem to be a little lacking with titles.
Andrea notices Kenji leaving. I don't agree with Kenji roaming around at night alone trying to find a shadow beast, but I do agree with what he wants to do. We have no idea what these things are or can do. They might just be goblins dressed in black or creatures summoned from another plane of existence that can slay a dozen Hellknights easily, if we can find a way to perhaps divine their nature, we can have something to work on. Unfortunately, there is only one faith in this city that I know of that can provide those services and considering who they are, it would be unwise to attempt it. Unless anyone knows of one who has sufficient skills to do this?
Duncan glares atErmolos, I was gettin ta that, lad
Andrea whispers to Duncan. Don't be so harsh on him, he idolizes you.
I ain't no babysitter lass. The boy'll be trained, don't ye doubt, but if'n he's too touchy to accept a scoldin' then he's no business being a soldier.
He does through out an offhanded, Did a decent job on the helms though..Now bout this rose......
Andrea looks at the rose and tries to remember if it has religous significance.
Or Perhaps something she remembers during her stay in the city? Perhaps someone she saw recently.
Regarding the Black Rose:
John enters the safe house after making sure no one had followed him or is watching him.
John you see Kenji exiting the safehouse but you were not followed. When you enter the temple there is a discussion going on about the meaning of a black rose.
"Welcome John, safe travels? Any trouble or news?" Arael asks.
Y'know Pharasman cleric believe a thornless black rose to be a symbol o good luck, but I ain't told or know.any such people. Y'd think they'd coulda sent me a nice weapon to actually help.
I know not of the Lady of the Graves teachings, Iomedae does not share the same symbol. Iomedae is indifferent with the Lady of Graves, as her servants need to lead souls across the Lady's domain to reach the godhome. The Lady of Graves foresaw Aroden's death but did not reveal her secret, that was a tragedy." His voice quivers a bit at the end. "With Aroden's death, Cheliax went to the diabolists." A bit of of contempt in his voice.
"I have some news, yes. First the reports from the Hellknights we attacked describe two people mostly, a large man with a tower shield and a dwarf. The Hellknights are looking at people with military experience for the man with the tower shield and I heard they tried to petition the mayor to round up all the dwarfs for questioning, though that was denied to them." Putting his scailmail and tower shield down John continues "I plan to leave these here and use some new equipment I bought to fight when we are not fighting corruption."
"I was unable to find any information on the group we met in the sewers unfortunately, tough I got two job offers. The first was from a group that call themselves the Brightwater's sword, and another by some members of the dottari. I turn down the first, but the second one I said I would do. The second one might interest you all as well."
I will start going over the town. I am looking for dark places shadow beasts would likely be "found" that are near "safe" zones, inns, well lit areas, that sort of thing. I am trying to figure out where to run to if I should encounter one of these monsters. This isn't a fight I plan to win, merely observe and test my foe for behavior patterns and any obvious strengths or weaknesses. As well as an appearance and motivation if possible. Only way to know is to see one and consider how the things would react to me.
I will also ask around to find anyone who may have already encountered these things.
Y'know Pharasman cleric believe a thornless black rose to be a symbol o good luck, but I ain't told or know.any such people. Y'd think they'd coulda sent me a nice weapon to actually help.
Andrea muses. The color is significant, since red is used for love, yellow for jealousy and so on. As Duncan says it might be luck. So we may need to focus on luck and the rose. Someone bold enough to send roses ro us no doubt wants us to puzzle this out and find them. So we either look for a place significant to Pharasma or another place that is connected to luck and roses.
Kenji when you inquire about encountering shadow beasts the folks look at you oddly, as if you are insane. Seriously, most would get away from you mumbling prayers to Asmodeus. Your actions are not normal for merchants and residents. A few would tell you to stay inside, if you know what is good for you.
You have seen that some main streets are lit before dusk by the dottari and candle lighters. These are large man-sized torches called Pyrahje. The Shadow Beast do not venture into those lit areas but they are provided free roam on the non-lit areas. It is a crime to be out past curfew with up to 5 gp fine. There are weekly reports of attacks and missing pets. Many local establishments like commonhalls, taverns, and feasthalls maintain sleeping quarters for those who do not make it home, there is a customary 2sp fee after twilight.
You realize to "see" a shadow beast you will need to go into an unlit area. There are plenty of unlit streets and alleys, you learn that all merchants lock their doors in the evening. It is not a matter of being able to run into a safe inn or tavern. You are in a community that lives in fear of the night.
Then the obvious choice is to stay close to the temple. Hopefully my allies will let me in. Are there any "good" fishing spots nearby the temple I may be able to hunt for these things. I need to make several tests to figure them out, my first is going to be how fast they run.
Begin with the premise that there are more unlit area than lit areas of town. The temple sector has some lit areas but you can certainly find unlit streets/alleys with a few blocks of the abandoned temple.
You see the torches are getting lit by the dottari patrols.
Begin with the premise that there are many more unlit areas then lit in the city. The area where the temple/safehouse is in the temple district and there are is one main lit street. The balance are unlit. You can find a hiding area within a half block of the temple. The block is 750ft.
You locate an area that looks like a descent hiding place it's is on a near street with a small little deadend alley branching off of the street.
You can see the dottari lighting the torches as they march north. A look of apprehension on their faces.
"I was unable to find any information on the group we met in the sewers unfortunately, tough I got two job offers. The first was from a group that call themselves the Brightwater's sword, and another by some members of the dottari. I turn down the first, but the second one I said I would do. The second one might interest you all as well."
That might be useful in currying favor with the dottari, just what did they have in mind?
Kenji in your look around the area you actually find a small alley way that has some light from the building, there are some shadowy area.
Twilight is happening.
Tell me where you want to be a tthe beginning of the night. Link below-
To sum matters up:
Kenji went off on his own to investigate and scout.
The remaining members are conveying the news that they have heard and mapping out a strategy.
Put me near the entrance to the alley. I will keep a shuriken handy. I want to be ready to run as soon as I get one's atrention. This isn't a game. I want to know what I am dealing with. I would not be surprised if these things prove to be faster and even stronger than me. I am fully aware this could get me killed but I am tired of these things being our goal and us knowing nothing about them.
It'll be answered tonight.
I stealth: and wait.
That might be useful in currying favor with the dottari, just what did they have in mind?"I was unable to find any information on the group we met in the sewers unfortunately, tough I got two job offers. The first was from a group that call themselves the Brightwater's sword, and another by some members of the dottari. I turn down the first, but the second one I said I would do. The second one might interest you all as well."
"They want to go to the ruins and clear out the goblin king. He has apparently been causing problems with raids."
"They want to go to the ruins and clear out the goblin king. He has apparently been causing problems with raids."
Does anyone know more about this 'goblin king? Unfortunatly I seem to be rather lacking in knowledge of the city due to being here such a short time. Andrea looks embarassed since she remembers being unable to ID even a major noble house.Being sloshed at the time no doubt also had something to do about it
Kenji provide me the map cooridinates so there is no confusion. Are you hiding or walking around?
Are you around R6 or K19 or W21?
John the Dottari guards would ahve told you, if they did not already, that the Goblin King is a self proclaimed ruler of a small parcel in the ruined north district. He and his band have been a thorn in the side of merchants and they primarily use the sewers to get around. The concern is they will breed like goblins.
Andrea looks up from her study of the rose, unfortunatly whatever she might of learned promptly vanished from her head because her eyes ended up gazing at Fiosa's bosom. Drooling a little, Andrea shook her head and then looked up and towards the window.
It is getting dark, just where is Kenji? Does he have a home in the city?
Andrea looks up from her study or the rose, unfortunatly whatever she might of learned promptly vanished from her head because her eyes ended up gazing at Fiosa's bosom. Drooling a little, Andrea shook her head and then looked up and towards the window.
It is getting dark, just where is Kenji? Does he have a home in the city?
The windows are boarded up in the old temple.
Andrea looks up from her study of the rose, unfortunatly whatever she might of learned promptly vanished from her head because her eyes ended up gazing at Fiosa's bosom. Drooling a little, Andrea shook her head and then looked up and towards the boarded up window.
Is it getting dark now? Kenji has been gone for a while. Does he have a home in the city?
Andrea goes to the window and tries to peek outside, believing that outlining yourself in a doorway is like putting a big 'Eat Me' sign on your neck.