Kraull gives a nonchalant shrug as the guards leave, obviously trying to play it cool. Nevertheless he whispers, "Let's check out the kitchen."
Rubin unclenches his sphincter a bit as the guards leave. "Looks like the coast is clear for a bit. On to the kitchen then. Maybe Chef can whip us up some braised boar croquettes before we continue our search. I'm getting a little hungry, and if Kraull's stomach starts rumbling, we'll be found out in no time."
Sounds good to me.
You carefully head down the first hall you just came from. The door is open and you see it's the kitchen (#5). You see some leftovers on the nearby table with two closed doors nearby (#6 & #8). You see a couple cold coolers on the floor near the eastern door.
Chef listens at the eastern door.
Kraull helps Chef look at and and listen to the door. If nothing is found, the half-orc opens it.
Rubin takes Chef's lead and listens at the other (south) door. Then he peeks in the coolers to see if there's anything suspicious and/or delicious in there.
Chef listens at the eastern door and once secure he opens it. He sees a well stocked pantry of cured goods, spices and other supplies. Nothing of interest is inside so Rubin heads to the southern door. He doesn't hear anything beyond. He opens it to a fine dining area. A nice table sits inside as does a mini-bar. A double-door lies on the eastern wall. You presume it leads to the master bedroom.
Inside the coolers is some left over roast from the earlier dinner. Enough for next day soup.
Knock yourself out, Kraull.
Chef checks the door to the bedroom
"Nah, let's get this over with first, then I'll eat." Kraull says bravely, ignoring the protests of his stomach. To get his mind off of his sacrifice, he also checks the bedroom door.
I'd wager this is our destination. Remember our mission, just put a little fear into this Diego character and mention that the Authority is waiting on his repayment. Kraull, I think you're best suited for the task, or if you like I can perform a song and dance, or maybe Chef can bake him a pie with a threatening note in it. We should be ready to skedaddle quick, he'll be sure to call the guards at once.
I could threaten to make him into a pie and serve him to his family.
"Yeah, no problem. I'll put the fear of gods into him." The half-orc says confidently, then eyes the food again. "But you bring up a good point about needing to get out of here immediately, I'm gonna have some of that food after all."
With that he opens up the cooler and begins chowing down on the roast, offering the hunk of meat to the others after a few bites, "Either one of you guys want to get in on this?"
I will wait. Just hurry up.
Chef presses his ear to the door, but the nice thick doors block out a lot of the sound he would usually be able to hear. Fearful of more surprises, Kraull checks the door. He sees nor hears anything on or beyond the door other than some snoring of what you can only presume is Diego.
Kraull, after having a midnight snack, opens the large doors, which swing open effortlessly and without a sound. You see a middle aged man, snoring away in bed. He lays gently on a large four-post bed on fine sheets. A table is set upon the corner of the room with a small little 2-shelf bookcase next to the table. A soft purple hue lights the room via a torch hanging from the ceiling.
Chef shrugs and makes punching motions with his hand.
Kraull creeps up the bed and places a meaty hand over the man's mouth while holding him down by the chest with the other, shaking him as necessary if he doesn't immediately wake up. Once he's sure he has the man's attention, he growls, "Listen up pipsqueak. You owe the Authority big time and you're going pay up like you're supposed to. The Authority can get to you anytime and anywhere no matter who you hire to guard you. The Authority can get to your family and all your friends if you try to leave town. The Authority will be paid and you're gonna do it. Now, I want you to nod your head yes if you understand. If you try to yell for guards once I take my hand off your face, I'll break your neck and take your stuff to pay off the debt. Nod if you understand that too."
Believe the man, he once made someone eat their own lips.
The man is starteled awake, is knows that he is currently no match for Kraull's strength. He speaks softly so as not to arouse the guards.
Whomever told you I need to pay lied to you. I am a businessman, and a good one at that. I took out a loan, to be repaid over 6 months. This was month 4 and I paid the she-devil already. I gave the remaining portion of this month to her associate with dirty red hair and a shoulder blade tattoo. I suggest you find him because I REFUSE to pay again this month. And as far as you three are concerned, should you take anything on your exit or VISIT me ever again I will not hesitate to fight back. Consider this your gentlemans warning.
He doesn't call for the guards, but is clearly quite pissed off.
The little she-devil you work for is very impatient, and she could have asked me herself than send the theatrics. Now, please leave at once.
He gets out of bed and motions you three to the door, and "shoos" you out into the main hallway.
Chef shrugs. Well we're just here ta let you know, ya know. Chef then leaves with the others. Back the way we came, boys?
Kraull doesn't believe the man so easily and so does not immediately release him. "Yeah, sure. That's what they all say."
Kraull you get the feeling he is telling the truth about already paying this month. Why lie and make you mad?
Kraull gives the man a sour look, then lets him go, "Yeah, let's get out here. Lead the way boys."
Chef heads out, Pluck makes sure to leave an offering on the kitchen table.
Rubin speaks as they sneak back out of the house, attempting to avoid rousting the guards.
Well, we delivered the message and that was our task. Although somehow I think that ol' whats-er-face is still not going to be pleased. Of course, there is the possibility that the collector kept Diego's payment and lied to his superiors. I guess we have a choice between an independent investigation to find this tattooed guy, or report straight back to our patroness. But first, shall we exit back through this window, or take the more civilized route through the door?
Out the window, I think the front door is unwise.
"The window is fine by me. If we really want to look good, we should find the red-haired dude with the tattoo before we report back." Kraull opines, his expression still showing annoyance from the previous encounter.
Agreed.
Chef heads for the window, making sure to wait for the guards to be away.
When the coast is clear, Rubin jumps out the window, sprints over to the wall that they climbed earlier and attempts to scramble back over.
Rubin gives Chef a hand up from the top of the wall if he needs it. Let's see if Kraull can make it on his own. I'll dislocate my shoulder trying to heave him up.
Although it takes him multiple attempts, eventually the bulky half-orc gets up the wall. He does, however, grumble about rope the entire time.
We buy rope and lockpicks next time.
You manage to haul out of the window and after a few tries are able to get everyone back over the wall that stymied you for so long earlier. After a quick discussion in the middle of the night, you decide to track down the red head, tattooed associate before you report back to the boss. The question at hand is where do you start your search? The only places open right now are brothels and a two bars with seedy people inside them.
Hit up the brothel.
"Yeah, a brothel fine, although dive bars are more my scene." Kraull replies as he puts his armor back on.
You head out in search of a brothel. You ask some well inebriated folks and they tell you that The China Dollhouse is the only brothel in town fur late night entertainment...literally. You head on over and the exterior of the building is nothing fancy. A few shades of pink and purple are stragically placed to catch your eye. You enter to see a much nicer inside. There is a woman who stands before you. She is in her mid 30s, brown hair flowing down her back and she looks up when you enter.
Ah, welcome to my Dollhouse. You must be new as I never forget a face. How may I help you?
"Uh, nice place you got here." Kraull says with slight discomfort as he waits for one of the others to begin business.
Evening, we are here to meet with a co-worker of ours, dirty red hair and a shoulder blade tattoo for a night of enjoying the fine services here. Have they arrived?
To his colleagues: If we don't turn up anything here, we can talk to my friend Jack at his tavern in the morning. He seemed to be well-acquainted with the townsfolk.
Rubin enters with the other two and observes the surroundings. Not seeing any women except for the proprietress in the front room, he attempts to butter her up after Chef's brusque query.
What my colleague means to say, is that we are in fact new here, and we are overwhelmed by the opulence of your fine establishment. If the damsels are half as beautiful as the furnishings or yourself, we will surely be disposing of all of our considerable earnings here. Myself, I am partial to pointy ears and blonde hair. Now, as to our tattooed, red-haired coworker, might there be a client of that description inside?
We don't take names nor give them out. Privacy is a valuable thing as I am sure you could understand. Some of our patrons are just down on their luck while others are here to escape their own pedestrian lives at home. Is there something else I could get for you. A nice Elven wine, or the company if a blonde Elven woman, as she winks at Rubin.
"Hey, we're not asking for names, just the location of the guy. That's all we need. Now, if you're just looking for a little gold on the side for the information, we can do that for you." Kraull adds, his beefy arms crossed.
Chef facpalms.
I mean we would be more than willing to partake of your finest offerings if you would show us the proper direction to our goal.
Again, we don't not ask that kind of thing. If you wish to enjoy some company, I could arrange for someone to keep you entertained. We have a policy of one entertainer per client. If you wish to be a group, than you would need two more of my employees to even things out. I can offer by the hour or half-hour. Any interest?
After a few moments she calls out, Rex, come here please
From the back a full ogre steps out from beyond the curtain, wearing brass knuckles and looks towards the hostess.
Yes
Chef sighs and looks at his friends.
Kraull looks over the orc and snorts derisively, "Yeah, I could take him, but it's not worth the effort." Unless Rubin appears to have some last minute plan to salvage the situation, the half-orc then turns on his heels and makes his way to the door.
A pleasure doing business with you ma'am. We'll just be on our way then...
Once outside, How about a few hours of shut-eye and then I'll talk to my friend Jack, ask if he's seen this guy before. Or do you want to try that dilapidated bar we passed on the way here?
Chef heads out with the others. Let us try the bar and then get some shut-eye and then try Jack.
"Yeah, the bar is more my scene. Let's go there first before we hit the hay." Kraull says in agreement with Chef.