"That was terrible, Mordecai! Did you learn that from House Thrune?!" Freya whispers.
Don't force us to kill you? Smooth.
Despite a poor choice of words they stop for a moment and one of them replies as the other two continue to move to surround the group "Why are you here? Are you friends of Nanfred?"
Hoping that being truthful will be more likely to prevent the deaths of the Tengu, than being secretive... Mordecai sheathes his short sword and holds up an empty hand.
No we are merely a group of individuals who would protect the inhabitants of Kintargo from the cruelties and injustices of House Thrune. It is our intention to use these caverns and tunnels as a way to aid us in this goal. Their ability to help people move around the city unnoticed will be most helpful. We have no wish to see any more blood shed this day.
Zindra stands ready but just watches the others. She hopes to resolve this peacefully.
"Bring us a boat, some food and a guide who knows the area and we will leave peacefully then." replies the same one.
"Yay everything worked out. Let's get crackin' then!"
Tobias remains hidden and weary, in case negotiations broke down.
The leader of the group steps out cautiously "We have some enemies in town so staying might bring trouble. If you don't mind that then we might be able to work together. We are not interested in fighting for justice however but for gold and supplies we could work for you. We are the Fushi sisters, I am Korva and I am accompanied by my sisters Maggie and Treep."
As long as you understand that WE are here to protect the people of Kintargo from the Thrune's and you are willing to assist us in that struggle... I think a bargain can be struck. Mordecai looks to his allies to make sure their is no disagreement or seeming reservations.
However, I would think that the first matter that we should attend to is... what are your wishes for Ruck?
"I just wanna nip one thing in the bud. Don't think of betraying us to the Thrunies. They hate Non-Humans and would probably kill or enslave you."
"They are also pragmatic," Tobias says, stepping out of the shadows of the other doorway. He walks forward, just outside of reach of the Tengu. "You two are speaking the wrong language anyway," he says as he walks by Freya and Mordecai. He turns to the leader, blunt but honest."Thrune would certainly pay well to know where we were and when we were going to attack. You want to let them in to your home though...that's your call." his tone indicating that to be a very bad idea. "Or you can let us just pass through. 5 gold a head?" The last part is an offer. Tobias was more comfortable around people motivated by money. They were more predictable than moral fools or loyal fanatics.
She looks down to Ruck "We saved him from the arena out of pity since his kind are a cousin to ours but the truth is there was little left of him except savagery and a thirst for blood. He killed the man that was supposed to get us out of the city and while he did not attack us we felt it was only a matter of time until he did. I hate to say it but his death is probably for the best."
"I believe we can make a pact. If you would hire us, we are skilled at infiltration. We can be spies our thieves but we are not assassins." she waves down her comrades who come out of hiding.
You head back up and report to Rexus who is overjoyed at the results.
"Excellent! I am sure we can make use of their talents." He goes down to visit the Fushi sisters and to work out the details of the arrangement. He also secures the documents from the safe and has some people start bringing supplies down and start cleaning the place up. You also find an armoury that still contains some useful gear.
Rexus encourages you to look around and grab anything you think you can use. (You can each choose any one or two item(s) worth a combined 1000 gold or less and that's what you find. Make a post )
The documents recovered list a number of stashes and hiding places that the silver ravens left behind and some that were used by the bellflower network. It even has information about how to contact a bellflower agent that remains in town.
That was easy. Too easy, Tobias thinks as he scrutinizes the Tengu. For now he'd let it go but he'd keep his eye on them. Tobias gives some token effort, sifting through the room. He had what he needed anyway. But something in the corner caught his eye. Behind some crates were two small vials of different colors. They were obviously potions but he didn't know what kind. Looking over the people in the room, he decides Rexus might be the only one he can ask. "Anyone in your organization good at crafting potions?" he asks holding up the vials.
Mordecai goes looking through the armory for some gear that he might find useful. He pulls out a box and opens it smiling... Well... well... gonna take a little work to get these riveted onto my shield but these spikes will make it sting a little more when I knock people around.... and check out this cape...
"About time you called in the real powerhouses. I'd be happy to arrange something with the Bellflower Tillers. We're gonna need all the Halfling support we can get. Even I can't take on all the Thrunies by myself."
"For now I'd have you contact the bellflower agent in the city while I go over these documents. We need to find others who are willing to stand up to Thrune."
You examine the page with the details and it is rather convoluted. It involves going trough the city and finding a certain type of flower (bellflower) hanging from a window next to a particular symbol etched in chalk and putting a certain kind of oil in the lantern in the street across from that (which is lit every night to light the street) to turn the flame blue.
After this is done the meeting should happen in a certain Inn at noon and you are to openly display a blue bellflower so the agent can find you.
Mordecai looks over the directions... well that seems rather involved no reason not to get the oil into the lantern tonight and meet with him tomorrow. I even think I know where that window is.
Not to change the subject though, but Rexus when did you want to head to the temple. The sooner I get this Thrunic Mark off of me the better.
"We should be able to get it done today. I will make the arrangements." says Rexus
Before the two leave Tobias calls over to them. "Take him to get the curse removed. I'll go to the lantern. He is easily the most recognized person here."
That evening, Tobias wanders the streets in the general area Mordecai mentioned. The flower wasn't hard to find but he circles a few times to make sure no one is watching when he makes the oil switch. Something this obvious was stupid but he does it anyway. Any guard to wander down the street and see the blue light. And anyone with a brain could connect it to whatever they were about to do tonight. Still, Bellflower tillers were supposed to be some of the best. He'd never taken a contract on one but those he knew that did were often gone the longest.
Right so you make the moves to plan the meeting.
Mordecai gets his curse removed and Bjorn gets his armour repaired.
At the appointed time you all meet up at the tavern in question.
Freya sits in the right place for the meeting. When the barmaid comes over, she asks for the darkest ale they have.
Mordecai would accompany Freya sitting with her... and look a little surprised by her order.
I'll have the same as the lady thank-you. Didn't realize you liked to chew your drink Freya.
"I like drinks made for a real halfling. I don't know if you longshanks could handle it." Freya says before she sticks her tongue out at Mordecai.
To maintain his aloofness and non-association with the others, Tobias gets there a little early and finds a seat for himself. He plops in a corner with a good view of the door and close to an exit.
A halfling woman goes around and takes your orders and brings you what you asked for.
I assume at least one of you is displaying the blue bellflower?
Zindra sits next to Freya. She sips at her drink, paying attention to everyone in the room.
I wonder why Tobias sits over there by himself. Zindra wondered, eyeing Tobias where he sat alone.
Do you think they'll help us? She asks the group at the table.
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The halfing arcanist hears a voice clearly but also recognizes its in her mind and not out loud.
<<Greetings freedom fighter. The one you seek has recognized you but will not meet with you here. It has become quite dangerous for us in this city and so we take even more precautions than we had. Look for him in another venue. Know him by the sign of the flower. >>
There is no sign of the speaker and no one reacts any different towards your group than before.
The halfling woman re-appears with a tray of hot bread and soft butter mixed with herbs and a slate which has written on it three dinner options. Are you ready to order dinner honey? she asks Mordecai as she passes him the slate. On it are three entrees with all the fixins: lab, foul, ox roast.
"Y'know guys, I think we've been stood up. I think we should just pay and head out," Freya says as she makes obvious physical cues towards the door.
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The group, not happy at being stood up eventually heads back to their safe house. On the doorstep to the Long Roads Coffeehouse tossed almost casually to one side the more perceptive of your group spots a small blue flower. No plant in the immediate area seems capable of dropping it. Upon entering you are greeted by Rexus who informs you Good that you are back. Your friend is already here. He is waiting for you in the private dining room.
And true to his word when the group looks into the private dining room they see a small but devilishly handsome man holding a staff and obviously waiting for the group. Well met. I am Dono Songwapper. The Bellflowers sends their greetings. He bows low. I am ever so sorry for not showing at the appointed place but things are as hot as I remember then right now and its best for me not to be seem about, at least out of disguise.
"Figures. Attractive people always stand you up on dates. Then again that might just be the disguise."
Well that explains some of it. Cautious lot, Tobias thinks. The signs of contact were subtle. No one seemed off in the inn. Freya's acting was poor but that was to be expected. Must have passed a message via magic or invisible contact. "Wise choice. Glad to be working with someone professional finally. We need a guide through the tunnels beneath the city. Word is its an old Bellflower Network. You or someone you know should be able to guide us. Rexus has the details."
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Aye, its our tunnels and I know them as well as any. I have volunteered to help you lot. I'll do what I can but you also need to know that the rest of our group is pulling out for now. Just too dangerous to to keep operating. In fact the last group of slaves left last night. And by tomorrow morning I'll be the only Bellflower in the city. He moves over to the group and offers his small hand to each in greeting.
"Freya Solheim," She says accepting Dono's hand. "Jokes aside, it's an honor to meet a real Bellflower Tiller."
Rexus comes in closing the door behind him once you have introduced yourselves.
"I have a number of tasks that you can look into but first I have a gift for each of you." he opens a small chest and gives each of you a Silver Raven Figurine and explains to you their power. "Relics from the original order." he explains "I have a friend studying them and soon we should be able to fabricate more as well for the new members."
This silver figurine turns into a raven on command (but it retains its metallic consistency, which gives it hardness 10). Another command sends it off into the air, bearing a message just like a creature affected by an animal messenger spell. If not commanded to carry a message, the raven obeys the commands of its owner, although it has no special powers or telepathic Abilities.
It can maintain its non-figurine status for only 24 hours per week, but the duration need not be continuous.
"Now then our plan should be as follow. First we need to rally the people and gather more recruits, we need to secure additional bases of operations and gather more supporters. Then we need to take back the city from Thrune. I think I know a good place to start. You recall I mentioned the night of ashes? The night I lost my family to flames? well that night my home was not the only one to burn down. Two other buildings burned as well. The Thrashing Badger tavern, and a music store called the Silver Star. I would like you to investigate the sites of these fires for clues. I just know Thrune is behind these fire. I am certain of it. I believe my home was targeted because my parent were known members of the original silver ravens but I am not sure why the other two sites were targeted. If we can learn that maybe we can find more allies. I also have some documents that were recovered from the safe in the Wasp Nest that I have not been able to decode. I am working on it but perhaps you can be of assistance? I would require someone with skills in linguistics. If not you can leave that to me. I have also located another Silver Raven safehouse called the Fair fortune Livery. I looked into it and it's an old butchery that has been long abandoned. I sent a man named Morgar Manthai to investigate this morning and he has so far not returned. I will inform you when he does. Finnaly and not least I have receive a request from a local advocate for tiefling rights named Strea Vestori. She says tieflings are going missing all over town and begs me to help. If we do this could earn us a lot of support from the Cloven Hoof Society. In the end the decision is yours. The Fushi sisters are ready as well and we could send them to undertake one of these missions while you handle another.
"I can help with the decoding if you like. I think we should help the Tieflings first and send the Fushi sisters to do some investigation."
Tobias gives the figure a once over then pockets it with the rest. He listens through Rexus explanation and plan of action, growing more sour with each sentence.
"Now then our plan should be as follow. First we need to rally the people and gather more recruits, we need to secure additional bases of operations and gather more supporters."
"Gonna be difficult if they learn you started that massacre." It was a good distraction but poorly executed in the end.
"Then we need to take back the city from Thrune. I think I know a good place to start. You recall I mentioned the night of ashes? The night I lost my family to flames? well that night my home was not the only one to burn down. Two other buildings burned as well. The Thrashing Badger tavern, and a music store called the Silver Star. I would like you to investigate the sites of these fires for clues. I just know Thrune is behind these fire. I am certain of it. I believe my home was targeted because my parent were known members of the original silver ravens but I am not sure why the other two sites were targeted. If we can learn that maybe we can find more allies."
"And how is that supposed to help?" Tobias guessed that if they managed to implicate Thrune in the fire it would rally support, but to what end?
"I also have some documents that were recovered from the safe in the Wasp Nest that I have not been able to decode. I am working on it but perhaps you can be of assistance? I would require someone with skills in linguistics. If not you can leave that to me.
"Again, how does this help us?" Tobias says growing annoyed. This one he couldn't figure out. What was the importance of the documents or this Wasps Nest?
" I have also located another Silver Raven safe house called the Fair fortune Livery. I looked into it and it's an old butchery that has been long abandoned. I sent a man named Morgar Manthai to investigate this morning and he has so far not returned. I will inform you when he does."
"Probably dead. Your Raven's like to leave traps?"
"Finally and not least I have receive a request from a local advocate for tiefling rights named Strea Vestori. She says tieflings are going missing all over town and begs me to help. If we do this could earn us a lot of support from the Cloven Hoof Society. In the end the decision is yours. The Fushi sisters are ready as well and we could send them to undertake one of these missions while you handle another."
"How did that happen so fast? Barzillai took over yesterday."
Tobias didn't see the point in all this. If they cut off the head, the rest of the snake would wither and die. The people could take their city back with the guards in disorder. He leans down to the halfling Bellflower agent. "Any of those tunnels lead into the opera house?"