Though disappointed by Rexus' answer regarding those coins, Boros quickly gets over it, trading those in his possession out for their value in mixed gold and silver. While rounding up the platinum coins for disposal, he comes across the ring he'd found in the Livery, and the thought briefly crosses his mind to sell it, as he recalls some mention of it being worth a good bit of coin. However, Boros is well aware that he doesn't know enough about such trinkets to get a good price, so he decides to let a local member of the party handle that.
With Rexus' patient help, Boros manages to cobble together something approaching a disguise that won't immediately out him as a shady foreigner, after which he makes the rounds at various alchemist's shops in search of his precious ingredients. While Boros is generally ill-suited to polite conversation, his careful focus on acquiring his materials--and the opportunity to indulge in a bit of shop talk with fellow practioners--serves to keep his usual behavior somewhat in check. But only somewhat. Unfortunately, his results vary little during the week, leaving Boros rather put out. Perhaps one of his new companions might be a better choice to find what the gunslinger needs. At least filling out his supply of bullets is a bit easier to manage, though that is scant comfort with no powder to send them on their way.
During the week, when he isn't trying to round up powder materials, Boros takes to messing with that little raven statuette he'd claimed from the set of six found in the Livery's basement. The little metal bird gives no obvious sign of the magic that Nissim said it has, and Boros can't figure out why someone would spend the time and money to give a trinket--well-made though it is--magic of any sort. He's willing to bet, however, that the rebels had a reason, even if it isn't an obvious one. While examining the statuette, Boros carefully goes over what he knows about the Silver Ravens, and tries figure out how that could apply to a little magical bird figurine.
Miranda woke up and leaped out of bed. Today she was both full of energy and had no obligation to help out in her parents shop! Weee! Not that she really minded the work - but right now she had even better things to deal with. The devious puzzle would yield! Eventually ... After a hearty breakfast she headed out for a shopping tour.
The nearby Newt Market would probably have the scoll she needed to restock, the Monkey Fish one, but she would probably need to head down to Bleakbridge for some rope and a small mirror. She was also looking for an magnifying glass - it might help her with the puzzle! It would also be good to make an excursion a bit south of the bridge, just to listen to the latest rumours. And maybe she head something about the gnome? She was feeling a bit guilty since she found that picture ...
Once she returned home from her small trip she immediately sat down and examined the puzzle once again. Now I got you! she thought triumphantly to herself. Sadly, even with her new and shiny magnifying glass, she made no progress. After several fruitless hours she placed the adamantine box in the corner of the room so she could glare at it while she had dinner. Stupid box! she muttered to herself. SHARE YOUR SECRETS WITH ME! Though not even mental encouragement seemed to help and Miranda went to sleep no closer to solving the puzzle.
Silk Rope (50') - 10gp
Monkey Fish Scroll - 25gp
Magnifying Glass - ??gp (Appraise 13)
Edit: Miranda will be using the magnifying class as her Divination Implement. It's base power is also how she gets +1 on the Int check : )
"Visit me at my shop if you need anything. Just remember I prefer to work at night."
* * *
Varuzhan helps Lily ensure that she does not get diseased from her encounter with the sewers. . As a result, Lily feels no ill effects from her encounter.
* * *
Varuzhan will spend some time studying the magical items that the party has collected that have not been identified.
If possible, he would continue to study these in the future until they are identified.
* * *
Varuzhan wants to collaborate with others to study the coded documents, the handwritten books in code, and the tome that powered the slime creature. The last one in particular he would treat very cautiously, being ready to wrap it up again if there's any sign that the magics are active or some sort of slime creature is re-forming.
* * *
Varuzhan also looks into what has happened to his former apprentice, Elisa Silvermoon, being surprised that she had vanished.
* * *
Also, should he have the opportunity to get some more gold, Varuzhan makes a purchase of Oil of Shillelagh for 50 gold. (He doesn't have enough, but I haven't added in any of the coins we've received.)
Nissim is almost ridiculously grateful for Miranda's use of Prestidigitation to clean him and the others up. He had been prepared to beg for it if necessary, but getting the treatment before he had even asked prevented him from having to do something so... well, revealing.
On his way home he puts thoughts about the things he and the others had so recently been through, and what they might do next away entirely. He has more immediate worries. What is he going to tell his family when he gets back? He doesn't have a curfew or anything of the sort, and technically he is an adult and his own man. But being gone for a night and a day without contacting his family after what they must surely know by now was a dreadful conclusion to the protest is by any measure very inconsiderate behavior.
Turning things over in his mind, he decides the best lies are those that cause concern. If he were to try convincing his parents and siblings that nothing of interest had happened, they would suspect something. Yes, I need a "less worse" story. They're not as likely to look for more bad news if they already have some to perseverate over.
He finally decides to tell them he met someone at the protest. As unlikely as it may seem for him, he and a young lady realized an immediate attraction when they met. They escaped the protest together, fleeing to her nearby residence. Both she and Nissim were profoundly affected by the excitement and danger of the events they had just experienced. So much so that what might have taken weeks or months to develop between them took only hours instead. He had remained there with her for all of the intervening time. If he kept the fictional relationship alive, he would also have future excuses for absences.
"That should unsettle them enough to work, eh Lugo?".
The next step for Nissim was to cover contingencies. What if his parents wanted to meet her? Who could he produce? He had no good candidates outside his new group of fellow conspirators. Juliette would not want to be involved. She had made that clear enough. Miranda might agree, but she would be too... controversial. That left Lily. He would speak with her about it, hopefully nothing more complicated than having to come to dinner at his house, if the need arose. If she were not agreeable to the idea, he could always explain that the young Lady in question, given some time for reflection, had realized their relationship was a product of the extraordinary things they had experienced together and not meant to last. He would act sulky for a few days, and it could be put to rest.
Moving on to the next question. Nissim decides maybe the potential new employee is not such a problem. It would certainly divert his family from the story he's concocted, at least temporarily. If they absolutely refused to agree to employ her, he could always just pay her out of his own pocket considering he was secretly slightly wealthier than he had been a couple of days ago. He would leave the thieving part out when he explained how he met her...
Aldous runs his fingers through his hair and sighs contentedly as Miranda's magic lifts the sewage from his clothes. Giving the halfling a quick bow, the barrister adjusts his spectacles and nods to his new companions. "A week, then? Villegre Park?"
Watching the retreating form of Gregory, Aldous nods and takes his leave, hustling after the stoolie.
"Keep a low profile, and keep me and the others out from under the Dottari's nose, and I'll return the favor. If you ever need assistance of a legal nature, put a notice on the bulletin board of The Granite Harpy, addressed to the name Kellan Ludesvisk signed at the bottom. I'll see that it gets to me."
The next few days of work were difficult, Aldous' excuse for his disappearance bumbling, the barrister sure that even though he was a fine liar, his superiors were better at ferreting out falsehoods. Still, the matter was dropped, and eventually Aldous felt safe in making his way to Crissali's Fine Tomes, where he spent the evening speaking with the assorted radicals that came and went, hushed conversations in back quiet corners and empty isles within the bookstore.
The rest of the week was spent gently prodding the rank and file of the courts system; the bailifs, the security, the clerks, discreet questions here and there, when the moment was right.
Before they part from the hug, Lily gives Miranda a friendly kiss on the cheek, complete with flickering eyelashes. Leaving no lipstick, given that her makeup had been washed off in a combination of prestidigitation and sewer water. She chews on her lip as the halfling leaves. "Good luck to you, too." she says, wringing her hands as the Tiefling leaves... then looking to the others, and tilting her head.
Her bashful smile fades and she looks suddenly confused, brows narrowing. A look of guilt flashes over her face, and with quick steps she leaves without another word - possibly leaving the others to wonder whether she would even return a week later.
She didn't bother to try to sneak in or out this time - she wasn't worried about being 'detained', and almost wanted the third degree as to what had gone on - not that she fully expected it... but things had happened that she couldn't quite deal with if she didn't talk about them.
So she did. Not with everyone... not with most people, even. Her sister and her best-girl friend didn't hear anything, but she wasn't comfortable keeping the head priest unaware... and better to hear from her what had happened than a stranger. Besides, it was better to be honest and not bring Thrune's wrath down upon the Songbirds than to be selfish and hide it.
As you gather Information at Crissali's, you find out that after the protest ended, the city was placed on lockdown(you already found this out via other sources). In addition, a good number of people were arrested for questioning...seemingly randomly choosen, from all areas of life. If there is a pattern, you don't know enough to see it.
But Kaylee did, and is currently busy checking on a lead. She has left the night after the protest and not returned home, so far.
You find nothing regarding either anybody of the group, nor Kaylee, during your inquirys with the legal system. The only thing you find is a mention of a Aulamaxa imposter that matches Juliette.
The next day, you come down into the common room to find the street girl, washed and almost presentable, if not for the holes in her clothing, seated with a cup of tea, talking with your mother:"Yes, I met Nissim at the protest, and he was very kind to me, and when we parted ways he told me to come here."
Your father, standing nearby, looks at you with a stern gaze, walks over and pulls you back to the stairs:"We need to talk. She's what, 11? 12? Your mother and me were happy you found someone, but we did not expect THAT..."
While he was very interested in the documents, Rexus took most of them with him...except for the book that doubled as an anchor for Slimerina. While one of the ideas was that Miranda may hide it in her lead box, in case someone would be looking for it, ultimately, nobody was very fond of the idea of bringing the book anywhere near their loved ones.
As such, it stayed with Varuzhan. The book does emanates powerful magical auras, of both the Conjuration and Necromancy Schools.
.
When Varuzhan looks into the disappearance of his apprentice, ....
With the pearls and other loot found, Varuzhan feels confident to make the purchase...trusting Rexus to be true to his word and share the loot when you are scheduled to meet again.
At least Boros feels he didn't draw significant attention to himself during his own inquiries. Fetching his gear from the safe house was actually rather...strange, as nobody was there. Only Boros's gear, neatly packed up in a masterfully crafted backpack(MW Backpack).
He also plays around with the Silver Raven Statuette, but without any success. He does ponder, however, who was there first...the Silver Ravens, or the Statuettes. The one he has, while magic preserved it well, seems quite old. It may well be that it pre-dates even the Civil War.
Still trying, Miranda actually finds a Magnifying Glass in a pawn shop, for only 40 GP. When she inquires, the merchant tells her that it's cursed. Haunted, actually!
Regardless of wether Miranda takes the deal, or buys one at full price, the puzzle box seems disinclined to be cooperative.
When Lily takes her hot bath, trying to find both relaxation and the right words to tell Zachrin what took place, she suddenly hears light steps approaching from behind:"There is no reason to be angry, Lily...I took you to a place selling dreams and hopes. And I was not disappointed with the evening. I am, however, disappointed that you would not tell me why you went there without me, and with whom..."
...
As Lily tells the Head Priest, he seems worried. "This is...unlike you, Lily. You had always been so...measured, in your actions. Reflected, tempered. I understand that you are still young, and in every young heart, there is a desire for change, for revolution. But I am not certain these new aquaintances you made are good for you! Think well on what kind of life you wish for."
Nissim looks at his father quizzically for a moment, but then his father's implication sinks in. His face begins to redden.
"There's been a misunderstanding. I also met the girl in there at the protest. She was on the icy streets with no shoes. I gave her some money to buy shoes and told her to come here in three days time if she was interested in a job making deliveries for us. She and Thyra are not the same person. How did you come to think so?"
Varuzhan investigates the whereabouts of his apprentice, or at least tries to. . Though it all seems like a mystery.
To investigate the book, Varuzhan uncovers it in his home. He is looking for signs that anything is happening when he leaves it uncovered. If anything happens, he covers it back up immediately. If no immediate danger is apparent after about 10 minutes, Varuzhan casts Detect Magic to try to study the book's aura and identify what those signatures might mean. He also casts Detect Poison just in case.
After identifying the magics, the next thing he will do is to begin opening the pages of the book, but instead of touching it, he uses an Unseen Servant to flip through the pages. He looks for well-worn pages that might be frequently reviewed.
If he encounters any negative effects during this process, he stops immediately.
"Hmm hmm hmmmmmm..." Miranda leaned in closer to look at the curious magnifying glass. She *wanted* it. But also, she couldn't afford it right now - just barely a bit too little gold. Though, if she actually had a few more coins, spending all her money on a magnifying glass would probably be most irresponsible. Buuut I want it... Hmm. Fencing those pearls bring me enough ... She bit her lip as thoughts raced about, but quickly stopped as the tinges of pain reminded her that that habit was especially bad for her. "Hmm hmm hmm. I don't have that much gold on me right now, but how about I place a 10gp deposit now and come by next week to pay the rest and pick up the magnifying glass?" she suggest to the merchant.
Boros is almost giddy as he receives the materials for his powder from Rexus, though understandably a bit unhappy over the low quantity. But he sets aside his disappointment and swiftly converts the raw ingridients into finished product, which he meticulously loads into his waiting powder horns.
Fixing up his pistol, however, will have to wait just a bit longer until he can pay off Rexus for the acquired parts, but knowing they're available fills Boros with a sense of happy satisfaction. He does spend quite a bit of time looking over his gun, idly pondering ways to increase its ammunition load or lower the time spent reloading it afte each shot. Looking over the various mechanisms carefully in the course of planning out his eventual repair work, Boros comes up with a few rough ideas.
[spoiler=GM Mordred]
Aldous sidles up to the bar at The Granite Harpy, a tasteful slab of - of course - granite, that sits atop a century-old stained red oak counter, with matching stools. Tapping a gold piece on the bar, Aldous nods to the bartender. "Hey. Keep an eye out for a note on that board from a fellow named Gregory, needs some legal help. It'll be addressed to one Kellan Ludesvisk. If you see one, pull it and keep behind the bar. I'll be in every few days to check. In return, you'll get one of these a week. Consider yourself on retainer." Fishing a silver from his coin purse, Aldous stacks it on top of the gold. "Of course, it goes without saying to be discreet. Oh, and a glass of your finest port, please."
-----------
As the week wears on, Aldous keeps his eyes and ears to the ground, this time asking discreetly for information about Kaylee. He checks in with Crissali's Fine Tomes daily, growing, just like Kaylee's father, increasingly worried, to the point that the barrister is nearly frantic, consumed with guilt for having left his charge after the protest to check on Rexus, and sick and sleepless with worry.
The news of the Aulamaxa imposter gnaws at the back of the barrister's mind, but so consumed with worry for his friend, Aldous does nothing to follow up on it.
"I wanted to piece together what was going on... I need a clearer perspective... but I just can't really see on my own. So I tried to help the others, and things just kept happening. I... feel like they need me. I can help them to help people. And maybe I can remind them to help people when they forget." Lily says, chewing her lip, back to the priest still.
"But mostly, I need to protect the people who don't really have a choice in any of this, and do my best to make sure that they do have a choice." she pauses again, sinking down into the water to nose-level.
"Oh, must have been my older sister, Kyra, who was with us...the two of them left and I have not seen her a while...surely he simply mixed up our names when he was excited and told you what happened..."
A bit later, when you have time to talk with Kesin, while your father drinks some spirits in relieve and your mother resumed working, she explains that your parents asked implicative questions of her when she turned up at your house. She knew you've been with a Strix man, and figured that you meant to cover up your illicit romance with him by claiming to have been with a girl. And since your parents seemed to kind of expect a young lady to turn up, she simply played the role as best she could, stalling for time to learn more about what they expected to hear.
Then she shows off her new shoes. A cheap, but durable kind, as workers favor. She points out that she EVEN went to the trouble of scrubbing herself clean before visiting! She is obviously very proud of that fact.
Before you even get to a point of talking about the work you had intended for her, her stomach starts growling. She doesn't mention it, but it IS hard to ignore.
Varuzhans attempts with the book are...slightly...more successful. Uncovering it does not seem to cause any slime creatures to manifest anywhere nearby. Of course, one would need to check in the ruins of the livery to make absolutely certain, considering it seemed to be connected with a haunt there, somehow.
Somewhat confident that the uncovered book is not a danger by merely being uncovered, Varuzhan summons an Unseen Servant, and orders it to flip the book open. Varuzhan watches on, trying to understand the auras...with every page flipped, necromantic energy seems to wash over the servant, from a quick-cycling magical effect embedded in the book.
This poses a slight problem, as the book is written in dwarven, and Varuzhan needs to decide wether he'd risk touching the book for comprehend languages to work, or rather try and get someone capable of reading dwarven to take a look at it from afar.
The pawn shop owner sighs, then asks:"How much DO you have with you? I tell you something, give me however much you have, and take that damned thing away with you. Pay me the remainder next week if you can, but don't you dare bring this damned thing back here."
---
Aldous, despite his attempts to find out more, finds that his personal involvement is detrimental. Since he cares about Kaylee, it's actually harder to ask the right people, in the right way. He learns little, and every day she stays missing, both Aldous and Anthonino grow more and more restless.
Of course, Aldous does have the option of trying to gain information through his associates, through informants, or by involving someone else...if he so chooses. Of course, any kind of escalation would also pose more risks - so he pondered his next steps carefully, before deciding to...
One she gets home and tries (and fails) with the puzzle-box she eventually turns her attention to the glass instead. She casts a quick spell to try and coax its secrets from it!
or "trapped" for a theoretical days.
Suddenly afraid of what else might come out of him from the book, Varuzhan checks to see if there are any other conjuration auras still remaining, or if it's just the necromantic aura he's managed to avoid. Regardless, he decides to take a break for the day, realizing he was being far too cavalier about the dangers of the book.
The next day, after preparing the Unseen Servant and Comprehend Languages, Varuzhan tries putting the book at the bottom of a box with a latched lid, and setting up a pair of mirrors so he can read the book (right-side up) without having to look directly at it. He also ties the lid to himself with a string, so if he pulls on the string or stumbles backward the box lid will shut close, sealing in the book again. With these precautions set, he's ready to try diving in once more.
With the priest: "I understand. I'll collect my things and be out as soon as is reasonable." Lily says, nodding slightly.
With Hannah: There's a hint of a smile in her voice as she responds, her best friend lifting her spirits almost immediately upon her arrival. "Perhaps, were you not so mischievous to begin with, you would know - or have no reason to know. It is... complicated. We didn't go for the reason that you and I attended, nor for the reason that most would attend." she pauses for a moment, biting her lower lip.
"I... did kiss another girl, however. I don't quite know what came over me - I hadn't felt that way towards her at all until everything was winding down... and I'm fairly certain that she also has another on her mind. You have no idea how sorry I am." she blurts out. "I'll do anything that I can to make up for it." she says, finally turning to look at Hannah, concern plain on her face.
When Rexus corrects his assumption regarding the payment status of the gun parts, Boros is positively ecstatic. He immediately finds a spot to work, breaks out his tools, and begins going over Gnoll Splasher with an almost frightening level of focus on the task. He's not able to get it all done in one go, much as he wishes otherwise; his daily visits to the local alchemists eat up a considerable span of his of time. Further, Boros knows better than to attempt precision work while lacking proper rest and relaxation. So fixing up his cherished pistol takes much of the remaining week, but he does get it done. The only sour note is the lack of powder to use for some test firing, even if Boros could find a place to conduct said testing without drawing attention.
The days pass, Aldous miserable with worry, until he can't put off what he knows he must do - despite what it may cost him. Visiting a nearby dottari 'precinct', the barrister waits for shift change and spies Edrick Allret leaving. A garrison-sergeant of known moral flexibility, Ness, Ness and Jhaltero had used him in the past to dig up information on people the law firm was interested in.
"Oi," the barrister said, coughing into his hand as he approached the sergeant, who always seemed a little too jittery for his own good. "Aldous Beauturne, with Ness, Ness, and Jhaltero. There's a girl the firm would like you to look into, seems to have gone missing a few days back. Name's Crissali. Pretty lass, early twenties. She's... important to someone important, and he wants to know what's become of her. Ten gold is your usual retainer, yes?"
Lifting his coin purse from his pocket, the barrister gives it a vigorous shake.
One other thing to do during downtime: Varuzhan brews 2 Potions of Enlarge Person.
He leaves it at that. The deception seems to have served its purpose even if it went slighly awry, so it would be best to let things rest. Instead he moves on to telling Kesin the basics of what she would be doing. Each day she should come to the shop in the morning. Any deliveries or pickups that are needed will be on a list. "Do you read?" After taking care of the items on the list, she should come back to the shop to drop off anything she was to pick up, and also check to see if there are afternoon deliveries.
"That is the greatest part of the job. There may also be times when few or no deliveries need to be made. At those times there may be shop cleaning or organizing to do instead. Does this sound agreeable to you? I had not yet mentioned you were coming to my family, so I have not discussed your wage with them yet. But I will assure it will be enough for a place to live, food, and other essentials."
"There is one further thing. I have not mentioned precisely why we met. It would have made it more difficult to convince them you should have the job. Of course I don't think I need to point out that any theft from the shop cannot be tolerated. But, beyond that you must also agree to not steal elsewhere. What I told you when we met was not dramatics. Things have now changed in Kintargo. If you are caught by the dottari now you will receive no mercy. If you survive, you will no longer be whole. Don't do it."
After Kesin has finished eating, Nissim shows her the shop and the types of things, bottles and packets, she would be delivering. Afterward he gives her a couple of silver coins and tells her to return tomorrow morning. He then gives her one more silver. "The shoes and clean face are an excellent beginning, and tomorrow you will probably begin to deal with some customers. Get a set a clothes for work with that, something people will find pleasant and respectable."
Figuring his mother will be the softer target now that she has met Kelsin, he brings the idea to her first. In summary his argument is as follows.
1. No other apothecary in the city delivers. The novelty of offering the service is, by itself, a good way to differentiate the Siverto shop from their competitors.
2. It would certainly increase business among those too ill or infirm to travel to the shop to make pickups. They would find the convenience of making one trip rather than two very appealing.
3. It would free Nissim and his brother from making deliveries. With the extra time they could fill more orders. The shop could handle greater customer volume and also fill orders more quickly. People who need medicines do not want to wait for them.
4. If the points he has made so far are correct, hiring a person to make deliveries will far more than pay for itself. But, it will take some time to see the results. Word must spread to customers before it will happen.
5. Kesin is intelligent and knows the streets well. She will learn to differentiate between the items she must deliver quickly, and she won't need to be taught delivery routes at all.
6. Now that the city is directly under Thrune control, Kesin is in considerable danger as a street kid. The dottari will pick her up for something sooner or later. She will be made to confess to something through intimidation or torture. With nobody on the outside to intervene for her, she would likely never be seen again.
7. Nissim will personally pay her wages for a trial period of four months. After that, if the family is satisfied with her, she will become a regular shop employee.
After he hits his mom up, he will take up the subject with his father, and then his brother.
Nissim will spend the next three days or so working in the shop to let things return to normalcy. After that he will take a little time to go visit Varuzhan and see how he's getting along with the magical items, and to talk shop.
While out there, he overhears a conversation between two woman...about sounds the one woman describes remarkably close to what an explosion sounds like, coming from within the walls of Castle Kintargo(C1). It seems that an Order of Hellknights is currently stationed there.
When Lily packs up her things, one of the acolytes knocks on the door, a boy of maybe 13 or 14 years, but a savant with the harp. When you turn, he blushes violently at the attention:"Miss Sable, I'm sorry. High Priest Vhast sent me. I am supposed to give you this", he holds out an object wrapped in linen, as far away from his body as he can, swallowing visibly when you take it:"I...er...goodbye", he turns around and runs off.
Wrapped inside is a Wand , and a note with Zachrins handwriting:'May you never have need of it!'
The last evening, when Miranda plays with the puzzle box, keeping it on the floor, and idle turning the smooth-surfaced box, she realizes something peculiar. When flat on the floor, and moved to just the tipping point on one of the edges, it fell back to the side it previously was on. Except with one of the four sides, where it fell to the new one. Trying to repeat the procedure, out of curiousity, she finds that it works again, with a different side. Keeping going, after a sequence of about 12 such steps, she hears an audible click as something changes about the box.
Wildly curious, Miranda finds that the smooth surface "opened" up a bit on the four sides(not top, not bottom), with a small space to slide them into at the bottom...the revealed sides held more challenges for her, though!
When Nissim tells her that would be enough reading, or she is finished, she seems to be somewhere between crying and pouting - hard to tell.
She does not question the terms you state. When you mention not having told your family the details, she nods:"I guessed so...which is why I went along with what they implied in the first place!"
Showing her the bottles, packets and remedys, she sometimes asks questions, and, when you test her by asking about some of the things you told her about earlier, she shows a keen intelligence, or at least a good memory, by answering perfectly.
You get a feeling that she is well aware of the changes in Kintargo, and your warnings are not news to her. In fact, she seems very keen on this chance, and for a moment you wonder if she somehow planned this, but quickly dismiss the thought again.
When Nissim brings it up with his family, his arguments are quite sound, and he gets them to agree. Especially that you are willing to pay for her out of your own pocket seems convincing...since obviously you believe in her if you are willing to do that.
Your brother also brings up the idea that if she's not busy doing deliveries, she may also fetch ingredients. While those are usually delivered in bulk, not everything is stocked in sufficient quantities. On the whole, they agree to put your theories to the test.
The next morning, Kesin shows up wearing simple black trousers and a simple black shirt, with a crudely embroidered Siverto family logo(as seen outside on the apothecary). Her left hand is clumsily bandaged and she smiles sheepishly:"Ready for work! I hope this is respectable enough!"
No conjuration aura remains, only the necromantic one.
Coming up with an elaborate setup for the next day, Varuzhan is quite frustrated with the progress he makes, often needing to decipher sentences word by word, or letter be letter. It doesn't help that the spell only provides literal translation, making it harder to deal with missing parts. The ink on the pages has faded over time, but regardless, Varuzhan understands that while the book is, effectively, that of an accountant, it does contain certain information that could be helpful to know if one was to ever run a similar organization. That is, if one was able to freely reference the book.
Thinking over the bit of overheard gossip, Boros growls softly to himself. It seems as though the authorities have begun working with those seized weapons, which--when combined with the sudden rarity of powder ingredients as a result of official seizures of same--only serves to confirm in his mind that any attempt at rebellion will quite likely be facing down guns. Alkenstar's guns, which everyone knows the city doesn't commercially export, ever. So, even though the weapons quite deliberately bear no maker's mark or other identifying insignia, their mere presence in Kintargo, in the hands of the authorities, and in quantity no less, will give the impression that Alkenstar is involving itself in Chelish affairs.
While there is some truth to this supposition--Boros' presence in Kintargo is evidence of that, though only he knows it--the appearance of supporting the forces of House Thrune against the rebels is sure to mar Alkenstar's reputation. Not to mention the political implications, the mere thought of which is enough to give Boros a pulsing ache behind his left eye from stress and anxiety. Those guns have to recovered or, and Boros considers this prospect with great reluctance, destroyed before the Hellknights can get them properly into service.
"Woah! That's grim." Miranda called out as she experienced the magnifying glass vision. She sits for a while simply holding the old thing, simply staring off into the distance. In her mind she was mulling over the scene, but no matter how she twisted or turned it, she came to the same conclusion. A murder mystery! "Poor thing ..." Though not really a mystery... she quickly corrected herself. While she didn't think the magnifying glass could actually read her mind it never hurt to be polite! "Now; this can't be too old can it? Hmm."
[ooc]Puzzle Box
With a yawn she absent-mindedly flipped the puzzle one more time. It *was* a curious phenomenon but ... One more flip. *Click* The sound thundered in her ears. She sat perfectly still for a moment before jumping into the air and then pouncing the box. she cried out in delight. "You finally shared some secrets! And to think I almost put you on the Shelf of Shame ..." Oh she was so so so very eager to try out the next level. Though the darkness of the room hinted that she probably shouldn't spend too much time on it tonight! Didn't I light a candle or something? Miranda looked around in confusion before spotting the small puddle of wax, cold by the looks of it, sitting lonely on a plate. "Oh..."
Frowning, the barrister dodged a worn spot in the cobblestone walk, more mud than anything else. Aldous needed friends before he could even think of getting into a black site. The meeting with the group couldn't get here soon enough.
She thought, for only a moment, before moving forward to the edge of the tub, coming out of the water, freckled cheeks red as she brushed her lips across Hannah's cheek. The first time she'd ever been even half naked in front of the woman... and perhaps too quickly, she sank back beneath the water, to watch her with silver-gray eyes. After the too-long moment passes, she bobs her face up out of the water once more, still flushed. "I've decided that I should probably move out of Songbird Hall, soon."
* * *
Lily can't help but smile slowly at the small boy's reaction to attention. Hopefully he'd maintain that sense of modesty long into his adulthood. She carefully unwraps it, expecting something delicate, then nods as she takes the time to surmise what it is.
She reads the note, then rereads it to commit it to memory before dropping it into the fire to burn away. The smile slowly faded as she watched it flicker and catch alight in but a moment, then disappear... leaving no trace that the church had anything to do with the rebellion... or whatever it was that they were doing.
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Nissim is very satisfied with the response from his family. Although he had mentioned having Kesin pick up ingredients in less specific terms, he compliments his brother heartily on his excellent idea.
When Kesin arrives for her first day of work, he is both amused and genuinely impressed with the cleverness and initiative of her embroidered sign. He smiles, and it's more than a thin stretch of his lips with a slight upward curve at each end.
"Yes, those clothes will do very nicely. I admire your embroidered sign too, very creative. What happened to your hand? We should take a look and re-dress it."
Nissim minds shop for the next couple of days until everyone is beginning to settle into the routine of having Kesin working at the shop. Then he begins to consider how soon he can take some time to call in on Varuzhan, and if it seems necessary, Lily.
Varuzhan considers who may offer such services. Certainly, several people may offer advice, but in this case, one would need someone ...discreet, considering the object. While maybe Sharptail would know of someone who could help, it seems easier to Varuzhan to bring the topic up with the others during their meeting.
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Now
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One week later, about 2 hours before sunset, you make your way, individually or in small groups, to Villegre Park. Wandering there, either Rexus or Boros eventually find all of you, and lead you to a nearby Coffee House individually.
This place, situated in the academic district, caters to many of the local students. Indeed, Lily may have been here with her sister, previously. The place is run by a Halfling woman, Laria Longroad, and known to serve excellent Halfling cuisine.
When you arrive there, you are all lead to a backroom, such as those used for private celebrations in such places. Those who arrive earlier find that the proprietor of the place repeatedly checks in on them, making sure their cups remain filled and the plates filled with pastries.
Within less than an hour, all of you have been assembled in the back room. Rexus checks the door again, talking shortly with Laria, who nods with a serious expression, closing the door behind her, then Rexus turns towards you:"I am glad to see all of you again. I trust none of you were followed?" Pausing a moment, he continues:"Stupid question, I know. If you were being followed and knew about it, I doubt you'd have come here. There's more to discuss, but first, did any of you have anything to share? Anything important that happened in the past week that we all should know about?"
It's worth also noting that Hannah is very likely still performing her own rebellions in the shadows. :)
"I've left the Songbird Hall for now... for as long as I'm working with all of you." Lily shares, quietly. "I can't involve the people I care about in this, if I can help it."
Varuzhan shares some details of his investigation of the book that was the anchor for the slime. "It seems to be a coded accounting record of some sort - perhaps used by the rebels that once inhabited the Livery. Certainly of interest to a historian and, perhaps, of use in organizing similar activities in the future . . ." Varuzhan lets the thought hang as he looks around at the others, wondering where they stood on actively instigating rebellion. Varuzhan wasn't really sure himself at this point.
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As Lily commits to the nascent rebellion and Varuzhan adds his findings about the book recovered from the Livery, Boros chimes in with what he's learned, though he prefaces that with a bit of needed background beforehand. "Before I ended up with the lot of ya, I was with another group o' would-be rebels, and I supplied them with guns and a lot o' related materials. We were raided by the Hellknights not long before protest at the park, and they got everythin' I supplied." He pauses for a moment to get his thoughts in order.
"Over the last week, while tryin' to find what I need for my own weapon, I learned that the authorities have scoured the city damn near clean o' the ingridients needed to make powder. Further, a bit of gossip overheard by chance led me to take a short walk out to that castle north o' the park, where the Hellknights are bunkin'. Turns out, they're in there practicin' with the guns they from my previous employers." Clearly, Boros is not the least bit happy about relating this information, and his expression only grows darker as he continues. "So any trouble is likely to be facin' guns sooner or later, and that's not a good thin' for us. Good news, and there is some, is that most o' Hellknights probably won't be much good with those weapons, and while they have an effectively unlimited supply o' powder and shot, they can't make new guns. And they don't have the knowledge to do more than provide the most basic maintenance to what they have now either."
Aldous raises an eyebrow, giving Boros a quizzical look. "Hellknights? Not good. Perhaps they're working in concert with the inquisitors I heard of?"
Taking a worn map that the barrister had pilfered from his workplace, Aldous lays it on the coffeehouse table and jabs his finger down onto it, near the river. "Here. It is called The Warehouse, but its really a prison. Ever since the protest, people have been disappearing, and they're ending up there. I aim to pay The Warehouse a visit, and I'd like your help. I suspect many lives hang in the balance."
Looking at the map with a considering expression, Boros hums softly before offering his thoughts. "That might be where some o' my former employers are stored, the low-level ones that didn't merit a stay with the Hellknights." He looks over the map, then leans back in his seat. "If we can spring them, and they haven't lost their taste for rebellion, that could bolster our numbers a bit. Any idea of what the defenses there are like," he asks of the barrister.
"Well, I think I caught something dipping in that sewer water, but luckily it didn't last long!" Miranda starts her summary. "I did manage to pry *some* secrets out of this damnable puzzle!" She triumphantly pulls out the adamantine puzzle box from a pocket and places it on the table. One of the sides now had a small indenture revealing . With a small chuckle she added. "But it might be best for my own sake if someone else held on to it for a little while! Oh, and that reminds me!" She once more reaches into her pockets, a bit more carefully this time, and produces a small yellow five-pointed flower. With an apologetic look she hands it to Lily. "Sorry I perfumed you!"
Once the map appears on the table, Miranda stands up on her chair so she can see. "That's a nice map." she mumbles and pulls out her new magnifying glass to examine it closer. Though I don't think Aldous is really interested in the vintage right now ... "I think you two are right; if they are starting to kidnap people we have to do something!"
What Lily had originally determined was heartbreak and homesickness became much more clearly something she should have anticipated. Unlike Miranda, she didn't exactly look... well. Maybe if she hadn't moved out, one of the priests would have noticed and done something to help, but everything lined up for the sickly, and thoroughly-unhappy-looking Lily sitting across from Miranda. "I... it isn't a big deal. At the end of the day, I was forgiven, and you had no control over the situation."
"Who is being kept there?" Lily asks, still quite quietly.
"Lily, you look awful." Varuzhan begins to look over her symptoms. "Did you get sick from the sewage? If so, you should've come to see me. You know where my shop is. And I have a lot more to offer in terms of medicine than culinary spices." Without asking permission, Varuzhan pulls out a smelly poultice and slaps it across the back of Lily's neck.
.
"That'll draw out the toxins and stem the fever. But your strength will take time to recover."
Aldous shrugs. "The defenses? No idea. I'm no spy, and to be honest, my contact didn't know that much. I didn't go to check things out on my own, and I'll not go without backup."
Turning to Lily, Aldous pulls his spectacles from his head and cleans them on his shirt, his face grave.
"I think the inquisitors are pulling anyone in that they think is part of the protest movement. I know they've been disappearing radicals. They've even been going after the dottari they think are corrupt."