Kraull starts to mentally count the money on his thick fingers, but quickly gives up, "Yeah, I'll do it. The pay beats anything the Pink Bunny can pay, and I won't have to do any more cleaning! You got a healer on hand by chance? My wound is acting up kinda fierce."
Certainly, it is the least I can do. I can get that for you before you go.
Chef pockets the coin with a nod of thanks. I would be more than willing to offer my help. These drugs are a blight upon this town and we must root them out.
*Cluck*
You know you can count on me, sir. I too feel that a blight has been set upon our fair village, and it is my civic duty to help root out the dastardly fiends responsible for this treachery. Rubin's eyes become misty as he thinks of his beloved adopted town and its happy inhabitants bespoiled by unknown criminal elements. After a short sentimental moment he pockets his earnings and then turns to the half-orc. Please accept my apologies for being confrontational yesterday. I'm sure you understand I was just doing my duty. And thank you for your assistance in overpowering the perpetrators. I am Rubin Slade, at your service.
Good to hear gentleman. Kraull, drink this potion to heal your wounds, it may take some time but should suffice.
He pauses for a moment, then looks to all of you,
I have a lead about how the drugs are getting into Jasper. There is an old tunnel system, out near Old Man Flecther's old shack. I presume he stumbled upon it at some point, which is why he was killed with an overdose of drugs. He takes a sip of brandy from on his desk.
This is where you will go. You will pose as Taidus' new underlings, sent to get his next shipment of goods. You will be given a unmarked coin pouch, as payment for the goods. I need you to get the goods, then deliver them to Taidus' place to not arouse suspicion. Of course, we will be there to take them. I am hoping that when you get the drugs, you can learn something, anything about the operation, the potential headquarters or the way the drugs come in. Gather as much information as you can. You will all then be "arrested" at some point, so as not to rsise any suspicion. Any questions mem?
Are there any kinds of.. like signs or special words used to identify us as Taidus' men?
Sounds like a cinch. Let's get going! I know the way to Fletcher's shack.
As far as I can tell, there are no code words or other markers to signify you are with Taidus. The only thing that we got from the thugs from the cellar was a coin, with a oval marking, with a skull in the middle. Take them, they may come in handy.
He gives you three such coins.
One is a forgery, I pray it is made well enough to fool them.
He looks to you all,
Go quickly, I am unsure how much time we have.
The three of you, head out to Mr. Flecther's home outside of town. Your trip goes by quickly and uneventful, that is until you get near the home. You see a trip of men, standing around. The appear to focused on something else, and do not notice you yet.
Chef hides his chef hat and tries looking like some dirty thug that one sends on undesirable tasks.
"The name's Kraull. You didn't hit me so no hard feelings." The half-orc replies to Rubin's earlier introduction with a shrug.
* * *
After receiving the Infernal Healing potion and drinking it, he comments, "It tastes like burning! Whoa, much better!"
* * *
Upon reaching Fletcher's home, he looks at the others, "One of you want to take this? I ain't super great at making fast friends."
I err..I can yell at people some but I doubt they want a fine steak dinner.
I guess it's up to me. (Don't screw up...Don't screw up...) I'll handle this, guys. Let's be prepared for fighting if things go badly. Or running. Hopefully we won't need to do either. Rubin puts on a squinty expression, trying to look both suspicious and unsuspicious at the same time. He walks up to the group.
ahem...AHEM!!! Hey. Nice to see you. We're here from "T", to pick up the "merchandise". What have you got for us?
The three look at you up and down.
That bald old man sent new people again, damn it all to the Abyss. Show us proof as always.
You show him your coin, he flips it in his hands. He than gives it back. He gives a quick whistle and another guy grabs a backpack and looks at you.
So, the money Taidus owes us?!
Chef nods at Rubin. Pay the men. He looks at the unmarked coin pouch.
Rubin lifts the coin pouch up to show the men. Taidus wasn't specific with us about the amount of the payment, but one of you can come over here next to Kraull, here, if you like, and count it. And if you wouldn't mind opening up your pack so I can see the goods. Thank you. I hope it's as good as the last batch. Although I have to say, it still doesn't compare to what I used to get in New Stetven, from ol' Green Doreen. You know Doreen? Say hi if you see her. Or are you coming from up north? Maybe you know Earl? He's got some great stories about dealing to the gnomes up there, doesn't he? Hahaha, he and Davy Breen and I used to get loaded up and chase those little guys around; they knew we'd never catch 'em but it was a hoot, I tell you what...
Rubin continues chattering away, namedropping every person and place he can remember to try and tease a clue out of the rough-looking men.
The men look at each other, one roughly counts out the coins and gives a nod. The two of you exchange packages at the same time. Neither of the three men start to chit chat, and seem quite annoyed that you keep chattering on Rubin. It appears these men are all about business, and getting the hell out of here.
Chef twitches as Rubin gets chatty and lightly bumps him with his elbow.
Kraull stands back with his arms folded, just looking intimidating as the others do business.
Rubin trails off as everyone glares at him silently, obviously irritated. He begins to glance around instead, trying not to be too obvious as he scouts for clues.
Rubin, with your trained eye, you spot a few things. First, the thug you are exchanging money/goods with has a tattoo on his shoulder area. It is of a scale, but missing the "scales" in the end of the chains. (K local). Also you see the second thug take out a dagger (sense motive).
Chef and Kraull think they see something, but figured it is just their minds playing tricks on them.
Now where have I seen that design before? Rubin wracks his brain trying to recall this "scale" design. Is this guy just going to pick his teeth with that knife?
Rubin, you recognize the scales as the symbol for Abadar, the god of trade and merchants. You are unsure if the tattoo is simply "unfinished" or if the missing scales was on purpose and left as a message of life and his views. You see the man start to pick his fingernails, but doesn't seem as he is "up to anything".
The thug who exchanged goods and coin, looks at you, tell baldy, the next shipment will be bigger. He knows what I mean, and to accommodate us accordingly. Now piss off!
-----------
You take the drugs, and head back to town. You head to the bottom of Taidus' old shop. You see an old bum, sitting in the corner. He stands up, and addresses you.
You get the stuff? What did you learn while out there?
You than see the face of the bum, is Pat Trone.
Three men, said that the next shipment will be bigger and that 'baldy' would know what they mean and they want to be accommodated accorrdingly.
One guy had a tattoo, it looked like Abadar's symbol, but modified a little bit. I pressed them for information as much as I could without seeming too suspicious, but no luck. Have you wrangled any more information out of Taidus?
"Yeah, that's about it. They weren't expecting any trouble, so it went all smooth." Kraull reports after the others chime in.
Good work guys. Now, I need you to lay low, preferably in the basement here to you can keep your cover up. I understand that it is very inconvenient, but I hope you understand the severity of the task at hand.
Pat Trone, looks at each of you, then hands you a small pouch.
Here, for your help so far. It isn't much, but someone will also bring you food and drink until the next phase will begin. Also, of there is anything you want or need, let me know and I will do my next to get it to you.
He looks around the distillery, then with a somber expression he lets out a large sigh. Taidus took his own life in jail, awaiting trial. So unfortunately, the next time you meet with the drug smugglers, you will be going in :blind".
Chef looks very somber at the news of Taidus' death. Will my employer be informed about my absence? Chef will aquire a sling and some bullets and a small healing potion(CLW)
Yes, all current employers will be "told" of your absence.
A few days later, along with your meals, there is a pouch for Chef including a sling, 10 bullets and a potion of CLW.
Chef looks around the distillery when they are down there.Hm..I might be able to use some of this to make something..alcohol in bottles, rags and light them! Could be useful for us.
Rubin is not particularly thrilled to spend several days in a dank basement, but eventually he acclimates to the reek of the old chemical equipment and Kraull's pungent odor or is that Pluck? I can't tell. He requests some good beer and passes a few of the boring hours chatting with his new best friends.
Our encounter with those drug dealers went smoothly, but the Captain's words seem pretty ominous. He doesn't say as much, but I for one am expecting bloodshed before too long. I think you've got the right idea, Cheffy, with your healing potion. I could live like a king for a month for that price, but that's no use if I'm dead. I'll get one, too.
Other hours are spent making arrows, and the hall is just long enough for some archery practice . He also requests some more daggers and practices throwing those.
When he gets bored of those passtimes, he is composing new ballads in his head of his glorious future deeds.
Kraull seems well pleased by the somewhat boring detail, perhaps hard work isn't something he's particularly interested in. A somewhat satisfied grunt is his only response to Taidus' suicide.
Out of the 35 gold pieces, he copies the chef by requesting a healing potion , a sling, and 10 sling bullets, just in case.
While waiting he looks for something alcoholic to drink, but if none is forthcoming, he merely naps most of the time. If the chef finds booze to make improvised bombs, he'll eye the liquor longingly, but leave it alone. He mostly just listens to the others talk, unless directly questioned.
...ahem...mememe...
Now gather 'round ladies
And gather 'round men
For I'll tell ye a tale
Of Hero and Villain
Green skin and muscles
And wielding a maul
He's a mighty warrior
And his name is Kraull
He'll cook you a stew
That might make you upchuck
It's Chef Bolognese
And his brave sidekick Pluck
Light-headed are ladies
And jealous the men
When they see the face
Of the handsome Rubin
The three stand against
The perfidious Taidus
Who poisons the town
And stirs up a fuss
My meals are perfectly fine! Chef is offended!
*Cluck! Cluck!* PLuck gazes with vengance at Rubin's eyeballs.
Sorry! How did that slip out?
Faced with Pluck's wrath, Rubin quickly recants the verse and creates a new one.
He's a genius gourmet
His meals, exquisite
We all eat like kings
When Chef comes to visit
Much better. Chef nods in approval.
Kraull nods his head approvingly of Rubin's song, "Hey, when we get done with all this junk, I should talk to my boss about booking you one night at the Pink Bunny. You ain't bad at all."
3 days go by, and you are told by Pat Trone, that you will leave tomorrow for the ame spot to pick up the new "larger" shipment. Hubinme hands you a satchel filled with coin again, and wishes you luck.
You gather what you had asked for, gather your other belongings and make out to the same spot you met the guys before.
You make it out there, and there is nothing, no sign of life.
You make camp, and after an unsettling night of paranoia, the next day the thugs appear.
So, I see you guys came a day early, but better early than late in our line of work. So, you got the metal?
Rubin, tosses over the satchel. The thug looks the contents over, than whistles. The two other thugs bring out 5 adults, 2 women and 3 men, all chained together. The adults appear to be disheveled, and have seen better days. Their hair is matted, their souls are "broken", and you see a man start to shake every now and then.
The thug that exchanged money with Rubin, looks at you three, You three expect to keep these 5 in check. The men are feistier than last time? Oh well, we got the coin, so they are all your problem now.
He turns to leave than turns back around a few moment later, Hey, if you guys want to move to a better group, let me know. I will talk to my boss, maybe we can get you guys a trial run or "working interview" with a better organization.
Chef grits his teeth and trembles in rage, but glances at Rubin to see what he wants to do.
Are these people under the influence of the drug we discovered? Where did they come from and what was Taidus going to do with them? I probably don't want to know. Rubin is sickened at the sight of the human chattel, but he doesn't know what to make of the situation. He responds as best he can to the thug's query, hoping for some more information.
Yeah, you knows we's gettin' tired of bein' the poorly paid middlemen, we's wants a cut of the real action. You tell us where and when to show up, we'll be there, and the sooner the better.
"Yeah, if there is more gold for me, I'm in." Kraull pipes in, apparently quite honest in his opinion.
Chef glances at Kraull, suddenly uncomfortable right now.Uh..Yea, I guess I could too.
The thug looks at the three on you, You double-cross our boss...you will wish you were dead. You can turn on Taidus, the old fart, but don't be turning on us too. we will be in touch should my boss be interested
The thugs hands over the lead chain to the prisoners, and the trio take leave. The man who was twitching, has a look on his face that he is resigned to his fate. One of the women spits on you Rubin.
Such a tough man you are to be picking on a woman! Unshackle me and I will kick our sorry ass!
The three thugs are long gone, and out of earshot range, what do you do?
Now's my chance to be a hero and restore freedom to these poor wretched souls. Tales of our glorious deeds will be sung to Magnimar and back for decades to come! But could one of these prisoners be a double-agent working for those thugs? That last thought is quickly banished from Rubin's mind as he imagines the accolades that will be showered on him once the public is informed of the exalted works the three have performed.
Take it easy folks, we mean you no harm. We are working on the side of the law, to set you free and see justice done to these criminals. That's right, calm down, gather together, and listen well. The town is a short walk from here, and we need you to remain chained together while we walk there, to keep up appearances in case any of those thugs' friends are still lurking about. Does anyone need any immediate aid before we get started?
Rubin offers whatever scant water and rations he may have on him (not much), his cloak, and his healing potion if anyone is in dire need. He looks to Kraull and Chef, I figure we'll take them back to Taidus' place and see how Captain Trone wants to proceed. Unless someone has a better idea? Should we ask them some questions first?
This is the truth, we're here to free you from slavery and just ask you to stay chained for just a bit longer.
"Yeah, stay calm and play it cool. What's your story anyway?"
Kraull and Chef, scare the prisoners, and they all cower. When Rubin speaks, he is gentler with words, and all of them cower. A few moments pass as you walk, and the man who spoke earlier, speaks again.
My name is Carl, and we are all from New Stetven. We are all homeless, live on the streets. We were taken from those same streets and sold into slavery. We were then led through an underground passage, the above ground, then once again below ground. We came up here. We were told to play nice with our new owner, or else our lives would be worse than they currently are
The man, looks at you Rubin, is it true? Are you really here to help us
Before you have a chance to respond, you come into view of Jasper. You head through a series of tunnels, and come to the basement of Taidus' Herbal Supplements.
Pat Trone is waiting down below again, and he turns as you enter.
How did... his thought trails off as he sees the three of you with 5 people chained together.
What in the hell is going on here?!