DM CH-P's CoT: The Bastards of Erebus
Game Master Are

Derek nods somewhat absentmindedly at Xerath's query.
"Aye, and a good one at that." After the response he quickly falls back into his contemplative mood, a faraway look on his face.
While he does not realize it at the time, his face is stiff and uncomfortable from lack of smiling.

As the various information beings to pool together, Derek frowns a little.
"Now if I was a shadowy assassin type I'd probably not wear just one face, because if I had several easy to discard faces and haunts it would be all the more difficult to find me.
So either rumour about here he or she lives could be true, or none of them."

"But "commanding" rooms in nobles estates seems unlikely, the assassin would be too exposed, and the nobility would not want to keep a dirty secret in plain sight. More likely he or she has at times worked in the estates, thus being able to hide in plain sight and spy on potential targets and employers. You would be surprised on how free the nobility can be with gossip right in front of the staff.
The dungeons seems like a place he might set up meetings AND have a hidden cell or something to hide in, but not to live, too predictable, to exposed."

"Oh...I forgot, I have not identified the properties of the weapon and armor...might make getting a fair price for them hard."

"Surprised about nobility being free with gossip? Not really. And wearing more than one face does makes being undetected easier. Only reason I've made it this long without people figuring out I'm Bluehood. So now what?"

Appario, Derek, Xerath - Livia:

The tiny imp becomes visible as she, still laughing, swoops playfully towards Xerath. "It's me, of course! I'm Livia! Who are you?"

Xerath is a little startled as the tiny imp flies towards him. "Aren't you something? Pleased to meet you, Livia. You can call me Xerath." "An imp? Not exactly someone I thought these people would align themselves with. But then again, they chose to align with me. Anything's possible I guess."

"What is your role in all this, little one?"

"I have no role, I think.. I'm learning to be an adventurer!"

Appario, having learned what he can from his contacts, sees the clerk at the Church of Abadar about his finders fee.

* * *

"Alright, Derek. I think we've found what he can find here, let's go get you drunk and see if you can find out more about the assassin. I didn't get much."

The clerk meticulously counts out the sum of 100 gp, and procures a pouch for Appario to carry the coins in if he requests one.

"I have no role, I think.. I'm learning to be an adventurer!"

Xerath lets out a chuckle. "That you are." "Not like any other imp I've ever seen."

"To the seedier parts of town then is it? Very well..."

Disguise: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33
Gather information: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
Gather information: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
Gather information: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
Gather information: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
Gather information: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Any apropriate knowledge: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Appario stows the coins in his purse and followse Derek to the seedier parts of town, not trying in the least to keep up with Derek in terms of drinking.

One sip for every mug he finishes. That seems about right.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 Gather Info
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 Gather Info
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 Gather Info
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 Gather Info
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 Gather Info

Xerath will wait outside the various taverns while Appario and Derek "gather information". He will spend the time getting to know Livia while keeping watch for anyone trying spy on them. "So where did they meet you? And why do you want to become an adventurer? Every imp I've ever met just wanted to corrupt people so their masters can obtain more souls."

After a long and exhausting day spent searching for information in all sorts of places of varying repute, extending far into the evening, Derek and Appario finally catch a break just before the last establishment they attempt shuts its doors for the curfew. Virtually at the same time, the two notice a young man sitting at a table on his own, apparently deep in drink.

Derek recognizes the man as Jasper Etrovain, one of many sons of House Etrovain, one of the lesser noble families with ties to House Tilernos. He remembers that the family patriarch, Gabriel Etrovain, was killed in mysterious fashion several years ago.

After some coaxing and promises to pick up the man's bar tab, Jasper reveals, in a tale frequently broken by tears, that his father was in fact murdered by a man matching the description of Maglin. "We came home after an afternoon spent at the theater. My father was tired, and wanted to go to bed early. Only moments after he went to his rooms, we heard a thump, as if he had fallen. I raced up the stairs and saw my father lying on the ground in a pool of blood, unable to move anything but his pleading eyes. A dagger was stuck in his chest, and even after I removed it his wound kept bleeding, until he died in my arms without speaking even a single word." He pauses, pouring a cup of strong liquor down his throat with trembling hands to combat the tears welling up in his eyes once more. "I caught only a brief glimpse of the murderer, but I will never forget the heartless eyes that stared back at me in that moment, before he vanished out the window."

***

House Tilernos, among others, include Derek's sobering project Sascar Tilernos.

From the many attempts they've made at uncovering information about Maglin, it has become increasingly obvious that the common folk know very little about this noble-connected assassin.

The imp happily flutters along beside Xerath. "They came to participate in my research! When they were done, they suggested I should come with them and show them the way out instead of staying there. And since it had been so many years without anyone else coming, I thought that would be more fun! And it is! Much more fun than gathering souls!"

"Your research? What were you researching? So I'm assuming it has been fun with these people? They seem interesting at the very least."

"Fear! Fear of spiders and snakes, and of blood and fire! It was my old master's project, and when he vanished I kept going."

"That was diligent of you. Fear is a powerful emotion. But I think you were right in joining these people. Tell me, what do you think of them?"

Her eyes flicker deeper red than normal as she continues. "Only months, then, before Khazrae Kuelata will be free to enact her vengeance. Unpleasantly surprised, yes.. I should hope so."

Once Yahirma moves on to her other tasks, the erinyes suddenly speaks up again. "What of you? Once I'm.. reborn. What repayment do you desire?"

Yahirma lets the question hover for a moment as she pulls out a few of the ingredients for the concoction from her backpack. Looking up, she admits, "The thought of repayment never stuck in my mind. Certainly I thought of favors in the future, but I have not pursued your restoration in the interest of recompense." She pauses to tap a finger against her chin in thought.

"As I see it, there are tasks for which each of us is better suited, and we both have greater tasks ahead. What better way to realize those goals than to have an ally? I don't know that you've ever said exactly who sought your torturous demise - everyone is entitled to a few secrets - but I can't imagine a touch of spiritual support would go unappreciated when the time comes to get your revenge." Having arrayed the first batch of necessary ingredients, Yahirma begins to chop the ginseng and powder the malachite. "I wouldn't worry about any of my requests, though. If you can trust me in helping you now, you can trust me in not straining any future...partnership...?" she says, her tone rising slightly as if tasting the word to see if it is to her liking.

Knowledge (Planes) in thinking about devils' standards of bargaining 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Yahirma's eyebrows fly up as her forehead wrinkles in brief surprise. "I apologize," she assures with as much dignified mollification as she can muster. "I'm sure this sounds uncomfortably ambiguous to you. It is simply the way in which the Wendo work: the scratching of each other's back, ah - pardon the expression," she remarks as an aside to the clearly decapitated erinyes. "The exchange of favors based on assumed reciprocity. Breaking the trust of the other party is the surest way to be denied the spirits' magic in the future."

That, and Appario Lind's manner of shaking the other's hand to seal a bargain would just be cruel in these circumstances.

"There there, calm down. Have another drink, dry your eyes and tell me more about this man."
Derek leans close and whispers in a voice full of steel, "You may yet see some...justice in this", before leaning back and signalling for another round.

Ever since I realized how silly I've been acting, I've wanted to do something good, something that mattered. Well...now I know what that should be.

"Also, if you can remember, tell me of the dagger you saw..."
I wonder if Sascar might know something about this, the event would have been heard by her certainly...but on the other hand I don't want her drawn into this.
Still, I'll talk to her, and to my friend Nonon, he is bound to know some gossip about the nobility.

Xerath - Livia:

The little imp crosses her legs in the air and strokes her chin while thinking about Xerath's question.

"They're all nice, but strange, too. Much nicer than my old master was!"

Through the grimy windows of the inn, Xerath can see Appario and Derek sitting down in conversation with a man about his own age or maybe a few years younger. A barmaid brings a new round of drinks for the table as he watches.

***

Yahirma - Khazrae:

"The Majestrix must have given the direct order, but she was likely influenced to do so. I'm not sure by who. Discovering the truth of that will be my first task."

She frowns. "Trust in assumptions of future aid? No. A written contract provides security. Repercussions for breaching it. An incentive to keep to its letter. Partnership should not be entered into lightly. A contract should be signed." The erinyes pauses. "Once I have the use of my hands again, of course."

***

Appario and Derek - Information gathering:

The young man takes another long drink of his cup before replying. "I only saw him for a moment. Apart from the lack of emotion in his eyes, little stood out. His hair was long, like that of a woman. His mouth and nose were covered, and he was clad in leather. I can think of nothing else. The dagger.. It was a cruel-looking thing. Some sort of pattern on the blade."

He lapses into a prolonged silence, only broken by the occasional sip of his cup. Just as it appears the man will say no more, he looks up and speaks again. "Forgive me. I almost forgot you were here. Times have been rough since my father's death," he explains. "My uncle sold much of our assets to other Houses in the weeks following the murder, before he travelled back to Taldor with his wife and children."

"Truer words were never spoken, Livia." Xerath peers through the window to look in on his current allies. "Are they gonna sit in there forever?"

"So since I've asked you a few questions. It's only fair you get to ask some of me. Is there anything you'd like to know?"

When Derek finishes with his 'research' (aka drinking and debaucherizing), Appario will explain what they have learned to Xerath.

"Ayep. So that's about the thing of it. That's what we got. I think we should head back and report. Maybe make a plan of things in the morning. Might be that Yahirma is back."

Seeing as they have spent nearly Xd4 hours today looking for answers, Appario is willing to call it a day (and night).

"Let's return, eh?" Appario will lead them back to the safehouse and then sleep.

As Derek rises he frowns a little and looks at the man.
"Tell me, who was your uncle?"

Xerath - Livia:

The imp ponders her reply while absentmindedly fingering the pommel of the tiny short sword attached to her belt.

"I don't know what to ask! Umm.. what can you do?"

***

Appario and Derek - Information gathering:

"Terjan. Terjan Etrovain. Why?"

Deciding to not share his suspicions with the already distraught man, Derek absentmindedly waves the question away.
"No, nothing...I had hoped for something else..."
May be that the uncle was the one who hired the assassin in the first place. But I can't prove that...

"Let's go Appario, Xerath. This has been...exhausting."

Just as Derek is about to leave, the young man grasps his arm. "I remembered something. Something my uncle told my mother. He said he had to sell cheap, for our protection. Do you think.." He releases Derek's hand and swallows the last remnants of his cup. "What could he have meant by that?" He slumps forward in his chair, eyelids drooping and face falling into place on top of one arm as the liquor finally takes its toll. His snores follow Derek out the door.

Retro posting, forgive me.

Appario's ears react to the words 'sell' and 'cheap', an instinctive reaction by Abadaran training.

Appario butts into Derek's discussion.

"Sell what cheap? And to whom? I like buying things cheap too."

"Well, for starters I can create fire in the palm of my hand. I command lightning and occasionally I change my form, a little like how your kind can. Except I can only change into other humanoids."

"Why is what I can do the only thing people want to know?"

How can it be a retro post when it's a direct response to the last post before it!?

***

Appario and Derek - Information gathering:

The young man, drunkenly asleep, gives only snores in response to Appario's query.

***

Xerath - Livia:

The imp lights up, and a big smile forms on her tiny face. "That's great! Can you teach me how to create fire and lightning too? I wanted to ask Semenya to teach me, but she was always busy!"

Time machine? Retro time stop? Don't ask me, I only post here. :)

Appario returns home.

Upon waking and after morning rituals (recounting his money and balancing it to the ledger), Appario will seek out Maddok and Yahirma to share what they have learned during the day/night of information gathering.

"...and Xerath spent the entire day outside chatting with the imp-thing. But we got few useful bits of info..."

"Heh. Well to be honest, I never learned these things formally. They just came to me. But I can try to teach you. Our powers already have similar origins. Maybe you can teach me how to fly in return?"

In any case, if Derek at some point clues Appario in on the fact that it was some (or most) of the Etrovain family's assets that were sold, Appario would know that such sales would likely be recorded by the city scribes (one of which is a Gardener).

***

Xerath - Livia:

The imp's smile widens even further, nearly splitting her face in half as pointy teeth show. "You don't even have wings! How could I teach you to fly when you don't have wings!?"

Maddok greets the returning Gardeners.

"Rizzardo and I had a good day at the forge, the boy has a lot of potential", the big man begins.

"With Shu-Ak’eh-Di's guidance, the secrets of the metals we recovered from Delvehaven have become known to me. I believe, with the proper materials, I could use those metals to forge some very unique weapons and armor."

"I would like to use some of the liquid-veined metal to forge Derek's new blade but the construction will require a good deal of coin for things to 'appease' certain spirits that have taken interest in the project..."

"Did the three of you learn anything about the Council, their assassin, or their pit fiend?"

"Well that's the challenge isn't it? Either help me find wings or help me find a way to fly without them. Didn't say it would be easy. Are you up to it?"

Oh! A clue!

Appario remembers that sales would likely be recorded by the city scribes, putting together what he was told by Derek's final friend.

"Mayhaps I shall inquire there about what and to whom things were sold. That is interesting, yes?"

Appario looks around.

"I'm not sure that we have many more leads go on. We have the assassin and his dagger's description, Walcourt on the island, and the sales of the goods. Am I missing anything?"

The imp sticks out a tiny hand to shake Xerath's. "It's a deal! You try to teach me to make fire and lightning, and I try to teach you to fly without wings!"

To Appario
"Yes...I was going to suggest that myself, when someone gets a good deal over someone’s dead body, that person always seems a bit more suspicious..."

To Maddok
"Not about the pit fiend or the council, but we MAY have a lead as to who contracted the assassin at some point. So maybe we can build on that..."

Derek then folds hands together on the table and then rest his head on them, seemingly deep in thought.
Something has to give...

To Livia

"It is indeed a deal then." He will shake the imp's tiny hand.]

Back at the safehouse

"Well that does sound like a good starting point."

"So you will you pursue this information further on the morrow?", Maddok asks. "Should I accompany you? Do you think the council would be so bold as to attack on you the streets?"

"If you will be safe without me, I would like to see to my work at the forge", the big man explains.

Derek, Maddok hinted earlier that he needed coin from him to work on his weapon.

At Delvehaven

This is a more formal arrangement than I am used to, really.

"...A contract...yes, I would be open to drafting such a thing. For now I shall focus on getting you back in commission so that such a document could be signed." Yahirma finishes her day's work on the concoction - still a little less than a day's work left to complete - checks in with Tarvi, and confirms that the cleaning that has been completed is more than enough to consider Delvehaven a reasonable work-space. Yahirma then departs back to the Gardeners' headquarters after letting Tarvi know that the Yahirma will be checking in regularly to continue working and answering questions.

At HQ

It appears that Yahirma arrives in the middle of a brainstorming session. "It is hard tell by looking at you whether it was a productive day or not," she remarks. "All has productive enough in my research, and I believe it is at a point where I can spare considerable time to learning what I can to help the Gardeners' investigations." She stretches out at one of the tables and asks, "How can I help out? I am certain that the crows will fly parallel to a lead tomorrow, and the alighting wings about the city's dovecotes were most auspicious. What little I have heard an assassin and a..." She blinks a moment to make sense of what Derek has said as Yahirma performs a cautious double-take.

"Pit fiend? Aren't those the..."

Knowledge (Planes) - oh, was this what the birds were flying from today (natural divination)? 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (9) + 22 = 31

Yes, yes they are...

"...devil princes? Brimstone scales and eclipsing wings?"

"Indeed my lady Yahirma, but in this case we have the name of one particular pitfiend to consider.
Liebdaga...someone whom we may soon be forced to fight."

Yes, a pile of coin indeed, I just want to get the armour and weapon aprised and sold so I know exactly how much I have to spend. Derek is looking to get a whole new bag of tricks.

Maddok lists the more costly materials needed for the construction.

For a weapon I was planning on making Derek a +1 Vicious Evil Outsider Bane Falcata made from the Anathemium. That would cost 10018 to craft.

Appario scoffs at the idea that such a devil would be here now and not known to all.

"If a pit fiend were here, we would know it. Would we not? We should concentrate on threats that we know about: the shadowbeasts, the assassin, and the Council. We need to set a new order in this City for the good of civilization and trade."

Appario stands up.

"We cannot base our decisions on the words of Fly Hags. We need to seek our own answers and find our own truths."

Appario ponders his next move.

"I shall pursue the sale of goods. A financial trail based in document and ledger is worth the words of a 1000 hags. If any of you wish to join me, your company would be appreciated. As a secondary mission, I'll see what I can learn of the symbol on the dagger."

Appario goes to get paper and ink.

"Derek, could you draw the symbol as it was described to you? A picture might help all of us to find both the wielder and what it means."

"Are you always this delusional? Even if word of it came from a demon, we should not take it lightly. Granted we should focus on what we know more about, we should not disregard the possibility that a powerful devil is here. Are you willing to put the whole city at stake because of who the information came from? That is one of the most foolish things I have heard lately." Xerath amazingly keeps his calm demeanor throughout his minor rant.

It wasn't the Mother of Flies that mentioned releasing the pit fiend. It was the corpse you guys spoke to.

Maddok casts Xerath a glance, admiring his directness, but errs on the side of the more senior Gardener.

"It matters little to me where the information comes from", the big Shoanti adds. "Confirm with whoever or whatever you must."

"Then I will see to my work. I doubt I will be much help searching the ledgers of others - I have enough trouble keeping my own in order. If you need me, you know where to find me."

Derek actually has one of the assassin's daggers, which he took from Jalki's body; so there's no need for a drawing. Appario's earlier information gathering on this dagger allowed him to discover which weaponsmith had created it, as well as Maglin's name.

***

At the safehouse:

Only Arael is present when the group arrives to the old shrine to Aroden. He's both surprised and happy at seeing a new member of the band, and the half-elf priest of Iomedae quickly makes his way to Xerath to introduce himself. "Hello, newcomer. My name is Arael, caretaker of this humble shrine. Welcome to the ranks of the Gardeners!"

As talk begins to steer in the direction of assassins and pit fiends, his eyes betray confusion. "Clearly I haven't spoken to you enough recently. Much seems to have happened. I would like to hear more of your recent adventures." He ponders briefly. "I'll arrange a dinner in two days. That would let you," a nod to Xerath, "get to know the other Gardeners, as well. And we might have something to celebrate, too!" He adds this last sentence with a smile.

"Thank you. Well met to you Arael. Are you sure it is a good time to plan a celebration? We still have much to do."

"Apologies Master Arael. We have so busy the past few weeks returning to you with news of our works was forgotten."

Maddok nods, "A dinner then, in two days. Spirits willing, we will have a plan of attack by then."

"It's going to be a dinner, first and foremost, for talk and introductions. If there's something to celebrate, we will. Even small victories deserve a celebration some times." Arael smiles again.

***

Derek and Yahirma get the distinct impression that Arael has something specific in mind.

***

More gravely, he adds, "As you say, there's still much to do before Westcrown is again safe for her people. Even so, taking an evening for reflections and enjoyment is at times necessary to remind us all of why we fight."

Derek takes Arael by the arm and leads him away to a more private area.
"You need to learn to hide your emotions better, the fact that you have something in mind, or are holding something back is written plainly on your face."
...
"Well, maybe not THAT plainly, but I am very good at reading people.
However, it is nothing desperately urgent I think?"

seized by sudden inspiration, Derek leans in and whispers.
"By the way, have you ever heard the name Liebdaga?"

I need to spend a little time amongst the people I have formed bonds with, I need to...center myself, remind myself why I am doing this.
I think I'll take Amaya somewhere, a dinner for two, and where the drinks are not too strong.

Arael's face reddens slightly as Derek explains the truth of his poorly-hidden emotions, but tries to wave the notion away. "No, nothing urgent at all. It will become clear at the dinner.. I don't want to spoil the surprise." His smile returns, replaced by thoughtfulness at Derek's query. "I don't believe I've come across that name. Does it belong to the assassin that was mentioned?"