Rexus, on the bed, drinks hasty from a cup Nissim provided, then calms down a bit from his earlier outburst.
As he ponders the questions Nissim asked, he's surprised by Varuzhan's outburst, and seems uncertain how to react.
Looking at all of you again, he starts talking:"My apologies. I had not known you were strangers passing by. I had expected you were others of my...associates, as you called them. Who else would have risked their lives to safe mine? A rhetorical question, of course, as you did so. I meant to say I had not expected that. I promise you, I'll offer plenty thanks to all the gods in gratitude for sending you my way. As to what I was up to? I wanted to head to the park. We learned that Thrune's house guard had been sent on a mission outside Kintargo, leaving him only with basic security. The plan was to overwhelm the Dottari, force entrance into the Opera House, and incite the protestors into open rebellion, overrun any resistance inside by sheer force of numbers, and cut off the snake's head with one fell stroke, Thrune and his command staff, everybody he keeps close."
Sipping again from the cup, he then looks at Nissim:"What happened? From your words, I gather the plan failed? What do you mean they KNEW we were coming? As for the Thugs in the alley, I don't know...they definitely saw my face, but they weren't so much asking me about who I am, and cared much more about where the hideout of my group was located. I did a good job resisting their torture on that part, since I have no idea...I only recently arrived in Kintargo again, and only met with others in public places, never in some hideout. As such, I have no idea how Thrune learned about this."
He checks his belongings, then sighs:"It is true...I am a merchant by trade. My...father, he asked me to come back. A local noble who fathered me on my mother while he already was married. Never got acknowledged, but my mother was smart enough to have him pay for her silence. Got me a good education, and a start as a businessman, in Kintargo. Trade, mostly. Sea trade, to be specific. Eventually got my own ship. Then got a letter from my father a couple weeks ago, told me to come back to Kintargo. Turns out his proper wife gave him no kids, and passed away. Said he wanted to acknowledge me after all these years, turn me from an unknown bastard into an accepted heir. I came back for a chance to try and make up some of those last years with him, only to find him murdered, and another letter delivered to me by a confidante of my father. A letter you found and read, since it's not longer in my bag. At least I do hope it was you, and not the Asmodeans after I passed out-..."
Looking at all of you, he seems to make a decision:"Aside from the letter, I also got some...other things, from my father. Including a good amount of money. I am not poor myself, in fact, my trade business was somewhat lucrative until now, and here's hoping they don't confiscate my vessel. Either way, regarding my...inheritance, of sorts, I would like to pass some of that on to you. As a thanks for risking your own lives to save mine. I'll offer you even more if you come with me to the Fair Fortune Livery...I wish to learn answers, and with the stories about it being haunted going around, it may make a nice place to stay out of sight for a while...mostly, though, it's about the answers...where are we, anyway? I figured out those Windows are fake-"
Rexus' open admission of ties to the rebels surprises Boros, and prompts him to speak up when there's a break in the conversation. "Pardon the interruption, but aren't ya bein' just a bit free and loose with yer affiliations and intentions? I mean, sure, we saved ya from those ogre-ruttin' bastards in the alley, but that's not a guarantee that we're yer friends, just that we're no friends o' the thugs usin' ya for target practice."
Varuzhan relaxes somewhat after Rexus tells his story. Rexus probably was still a bumbling idiot - having suddenly joined a rebel cause with little knowledge, and clearly falling into Thrune's trap. But at least he was now a man of means, willing to reward the group for their efforts. And the talk of these Silver Ravens and their hideout was quite interesting.
Varuzhan is surprised to realize that the rebel is actually the son described in the letter, but on further reflection realizes it makes sense.
Deciding that the man was now an ally, he examines the man to see his general state of health, and whether he was fit to travel to this Fair Fortune Livery.
Rexus' open admission of ties to the rebels surprises Boros, and prompts him to speak up when there's a break in the conversation. "Pardon the interruption, but aren't ya bein' just a bit free and loose with yer affiliations and intentions? I mean, sure, we saved ya from those ogre-ruttin' bastards in the alley, but that's not a guarantee that we're yer friends, just that we're no friends o' the thugs usin' ya for target practice."
Varuzhan momentarily intercedes on the rebel's behalf. "That's alright. The man's doing what I asked, telling us what he was up to!" It was what Varuzhan wanted, after all. But then, he looks back at the rebel, giving him a word of caution. "Still, my companion here has a point. Do you think the Asmodeans even know who you are? They never did take that cloak off of you - they were just having fun beating you up. If your identity is still secret, you're better off keeping your mouth shut outside these walls."
Rexus looks at Boros as he interrupts him and shrugs:"My parents are both dead, I have no other siblings, and by your account, what we attempted to accomplish at the protest failed. I have little to lose other than my life, it would seem, and if you had wanted to take that from me, you'd probably not have saved me in the first place, nor patched me up. As I see things, I owe you my life, wether you are friends of mine or not. The least I can do is try and be honest, since I have no means to endanger anyone else, anyway. Plus I assume you read the letter...which I should have destroyed in the first place, but could not bring myself to do so. So why try and hide it's content?"
Looking at Varuzhan, he continues:"I have no idea if they recognized who I am. I don't think so, and after laying low for a day and checking out the Livery, I'll gladly try and get on my ship and get out of Kintargo after our little coup failed. Any of you are welcome to come with me, of course!"
[ooc]How trixy of the amulet to try and attack Miranda's weakest save. Couldn't it have tried to shoot some fire or something :P?
@Miranda: "Mmm... a story? I suppose we should start with something akin to the beginning. Before Shelyn was born, her brother, Dou-Bral worked with many of the other gods to imprison Rovagug. Once Shelyn was born, the two shared the portfolios of love, beauty and arts. That is, until Dou-Bral left. He left for the space between dimensions... and returned twisted and changed. He returned as the god known as Zon-Kuthon... and their ideas of beauty were quite different, now. His return heralded many... terrible events for the pantheon. The capture and transformation of his father, amongst many other things, lead to his imprisonment by the other gods within the Plane of Shadows." she pauses for a moment to watch the girl, before continuing.
"Despite all of this, Shelyn continues to fight for her brother's soul, believing him to be capable of the beauty and love that he once carried. Where she had once represented love, beauty, and the arts alongside him, she was now the sole owner of that portfolio - which left her both a stronger deity and a more noticed one than the pair had ever been. Shelyn is a goddess who grew into what she is now... which helps to show the growth inherent within her portfolio. It is through work that we attain ever greater enlightenment and understanding. For some, it comes more easily than others, though." she says, tilting her head, trying to gauge whether the halfling had been receptive to the story.
* * *
"Of course he's being honest. You don't ask the people who saved your life to join you to do something that might get them killed without being honest about it. Not if you're grateful. The same as telling the business-owner the truth about why you need to hide inside. He isn't, and we weren't, simply risking our own lives in the exchange. It wouldn't be right to keep those people you're asking to risk their lives in the dark."
"Also, we stuck with him, and healed him, when we could have left him in that dark alley after taking his belongings. The fact he is here is proof that things aren't quite so bleak. Of course... I suppose we could also be Asmodeans seeking his secrets by first bringing a rose." she adds, tapping her lip thoughtfully, turning her attention back to Rexus. "Regardless... while you may have few ties here... most of those things that I love are here. Beauty endures... but I would prefer that the people not need to."
NIssim's brow furrows when Rexus mentions they had been acting on information about the Paracount's guard and expected only the local dottari to be present.
"We're tucked away in the cellars of the The Maiden's Head." he tells Rexus absently.
It may be worse than I thought. What if it wasn't just opportunism that Thrune had learned of the attack and planned for it? What if it was trap, with false information fed to this, "Sacred Order of Archivists"?, with the intent of luring them to make the assault?
"I believe your plans were known because not only were the dottari present, but numerous Asmodean agents were there as well. Disguised and mingled with the crowd. Your people were surrounded and didn't know it. Also a.. thing, was summoned. I cannot name what it was, but it was of great power. Not the sort of creature that could be summoned without prior preparation I think."
"The reason I asked about this is, if anyone of your people were captured, you should assume Barzillai Thrune will know everything there is to know from them. Also, while it is possible that he learned of the Archivists and their plans through scrying, it is more likely that at least one of your own was acting as his agent, or that one of Thrune's agents was trusted by one of your own."
"If any of this is correct, it is probable the Fair Fortune Livery is known to them. If you want to find anything there, you should go as soon as physically possible. I expect they will be thorough and follow on any lead they discover. If anything is there now it won't be for much longer."
Jot this number down in your sheet near defenses as "Mystery Bonus Tally".
Ignore this number completely.
With the attack, your vision abruptly ends and you are thrown back to real life. Time seems to go more slowly for a few moments, including distorted speech from your companions, until it speeds up again and everything is back to normal. You feel a slight headache, but that's to be expected after the bump you received on the head, and the mental exhaustion diving into an object's history and nature demands.
Nissim considers for a moment, and then says to Rexus:
"I will be willing to accompany you to the stables if we go this morning. I need about an hour to prepare and then I will be ready to go. I do think that this will be a race against Thrune's operatives and will have to rethink my offer if you want to delay much longer than that."
Miranda seems a bit distracted at first but then quickly latches on and drinks up the tale with great curiosity. When the story is over she sits quiet for a while before shining up. "Oh I wonder what Dou-Bral found? Something really horrifying surely ... Hmm." She looked a bit torn between the wish to find out and her other important desire to not turn into a pain-fixated-spike-n-chain-freak. It seemed as if the later however won out and she chuckled - "But I don't think I'd actually like to find out!"
________________________________
With an eager nod Miranda added herself to Nissim's offer. "I've always wanted to see if the Livery is haunted or not! And it seems sorta like cheating to wait until *after* the Asmodeans have checked it out since it'll no doubt be tainted after that!"
"Aye, we'll go explore the Livery. Hopefully, with the aid of some magic, we'll be fit enough to do it. As for sailing away from Kintargo . . ." Varuzhan pauses for a moment - a moment in which he begins to doubt whether he was acting in his right mind, staying and fighting for a town full of villainous humans. Why did he feel the need to do anything other than watch the town sink into despair? Except . . . he had to admit that Kintargo had become "home" to him, and the thought of being forced into yet another exile made him ill.
"I don't blame you for wanting to leave, but if you were brave enough to attempt a coup d'etat yesterday, you should consider staying to support the home of your parents today. From the shadows, of course. Kintargo will not forget the brutality demonstrated by Brazillai Thrune yesterday, and there will be vengeance!" Varuzhan's hand curls into a fist, as he thinks on the destruction caused by Thrune's minions and that - thing - which appeared in the courtyard.
"Indeed, I'll also join you in exploring this Livery," he agrees, joining Nissim and Miranda.
Seeing half of the group throw in behind Rexus' request to visit the Fair Fortune Livery, Boros prepares himself to leave the Maiden's Head dorm with the rest of the group. Since his orders were to make contact with, and provide aid to, the rebels, Boros finds the current state of affairs to be acceptable, even if rebels in question aren't the ones he's supposed to be working with.
Boros checks over his equipment, remembering the previous day as he does, and a thought occurs to him as a result, which he doesn't hesitate to bring to everyone else's attention. "Now, I expect we're goin' to be keepin' away from any official types that might cause us problems, which I heartily support by the way. But if it does get down to another fight, might be a good idea for all of us to know the rest are goin' to be doin', so we don't get in each other's way."
Looking thoughtfully at the rest of the group, he continues, "Mind, I can make a few assumptions about some o' ya already, but knowin' for sure is the best course. And I'll start." Boros draws the pistol at his side and hefts it carefully so that everyone else can see it. "This weapon is called a gun, specifically a pistol. Has a maximum range of one hundred feet, an effective range of twenty feet, and it's slow to reload. Inside its effective range, the shots'll punch through armor and shields like they're made o' parchment. There's a bit more to it than that, but that can wait for later."
Boros takes a moment to return the pistol to its holster, then resumes speaking. "My preference in a fight is to stick to the effective range, where the shots'll punch through armor and shields like they're parchment if they hit. But I do know how fight up c!ose, if I don't have time to spare on reloadin'. O' course, my armor isn't all that thick," he adds with a wry grin and a gesture indicating his studded leather, "so I definitely need a partner to fight with if it gets down to cut and thrust range."
He grimaces briefly in displeasure, and the group isn't left to wonder why. "As far as shots go, I don't have too many left. Had a good stockpile when I arrived in Kintargo, but those Hellknight bastards seized it durin' a raid, along with a good supply o' other stuff, and I was on!y able to grab my personal supplies when it was time to go. Fortunately, I have the tools and knowledge to make more when I can get some time and raw material. Equally fortunate, my basic trainin' works just as well with a crossbow. But for now, it's one shot at a good target in effective range, then get in close and start stabbin'."
"I... don't have much. I can create water, and make sure food is safe from spoilage... create light and I have a passing familiarity with magic. I can heal... apparently when the stars align." She says, pouting, "And am able to make hard work significantly easier. I... don't have much beyond that." she finishes with a shrug. "If we stop by Songbird Hall... I have a crossbow, though I'm only barely capable with it. I suppose I'm good moral support..?"
"Hmm..." Miranda mumbles as introduction time comes around for her. "I'm quite good at getting around discreetly - but I really thing that is just you tall lot that can never keep your eyes low enough! And I know some small tricks of Illusion and a bit more; but I would need to take a peek at my Spellbook to cook up the really nice ones. If it comes to it -" She conjures a dagger from underneath her dress. "- I'm more then willing to shiv an oppressor or two. But hopefully no more biting ..."
"For my part, I can make bombs, alchemical devices somewhat like his Nissim points toward Boros bullets. They are explosive but larger, as you have seen. They are only useful at a distance because the explosion they create harms both friend and foe equally within their range. Once melee is joined it would be too dangerous to you all to use them."
"Otherwise I have nothing to offer that would harm an enemy physically. I have some spells that can affect the mind, undermining an enemy's will to fight well, or playing on their fears. I also have some ability with spells to prevent enemies from moving about as freely as they might wish."
"Perhaps there would be value in avoiding close combat immediately so that his, um, "pistol" and my bombs, along with our other ranged weapons, can harm our enemies as much as possible while they are forced to come to us."
Turning to Varuzhan, Rexus answers:"Mostly, I am looking for answers. To learn what my father died for, even if we've never been all that close. I'll decide afterwards if I want to stay, or go. I may be of more use to Kintargo on my ship. I have aquired some...skill in moving items Chellish customs should not find. If you are right and people will rise up against Thrune, those fools may need some equipment, and I'll be fool enough to try and deliver it."
Next he addresses Nissim's concern:"The letter was delivered to me only yesterday. A final memento, of sorts. If my father had known of the Livery longer, he would have unearthed it's secrets himself. There's a good chance he only found out recently, and had not shared the information with others. But I agree with you and your tiefling friend...no need to take risks. We should go today, and as soon as possible. I WILL need to fetch some things before heading there, and it seems some of you, as well-", he gestures at Lily and Miranda saying that, then continues:"How about we meet on the street opposite the Livery in about an hour, everybody that is willing to accompany me. I will bring the payment I promised."
Following that, he turns to Boros, to answer his unspoken question:"As for my own skills...in my youth I have trained to fight with arms and light armor, but have dabbled in wizardry, in the past years. Much good that did me, in that alley, when they surrounded me.", he remembers with a frustrated expression.
As if he remembers something, suddenly, he looks around again:"You said we're at the Maiden's Head? Who did you say is paying again? I am sure I misheared before, because I thought you said I was..."
In perfect timing, there's 2 knocks on the door. When you open it, the elvish girl that originally welcomed you stands outside, wearing an exotic asymetric dress that bares her right breast. In a very low volume and slow yet melodic way that does not seem to suggest nervousness about her partial nudity, she explains:"Honored guests. The pre-arranged time of your stay has elapsed. If you wish to stay longer, say but a word. Otherwise, this one would request, on myladys behalf, that you gather your belongings and make sure you forget nothing important. We are glad you have been our guests, and hope you will visit us again soon. We hope your stay has been memorable. If this one can do anything to help you, please tell her. Otherwise, mylady has sent this one to fetch honored Captain Rexus to discuss the details of compensation."
Having spoken, she bows deeply for a few seconds, then steps back and waits, and if she were not gently breathing, it would be easy to mistake her for a statue.
Rexus sighs: "Alas, it seems to be true. I guess I'd best accompany Mirai to the Madame and see if there'll be anything left of my inheritance to pay you guys with for saving my life. Don't forget, we'll meet in an hour, ok? Any questions left open?"
Boros snickers quietly as he watches Rexus' dawning realization, aided by the timely arrival of the madam's fetchingly-dressed hostess, that he's paying for the night's stay, and with not even a pleasant memory to mark the occasion. Before Rexus can leave, Boros catches his attention to hold him for a moment longer, then turns to the rest of the group.
"I've no business to tend to in the city as of now, nor any desire to try my luck evadin' sharp-eyed guards by wanderin' about, so I'll be headin' straight to the Livery after our unintentional host settles accounts with the madam," Boros says with a faint, but not ill-meant, smile at Rexus' expression of dismay over what is likely to be waiting for him on the account sheet. "I presume I'll be seein' the rest o' ya there in due time, but if not, then it's been a pleasure to have met ya."
Lily scrunches up her face slightly as the woman appears. She'd been listening to the others speak until the door opened, and then she was deer-caught-in-headlights for a moment, before moving swiftly over, blocking the woman's right side from view, as she tried to figure out how to eliminate the wardrobe malfunction. Quietly, as she tries to figure it out, she whispers to the woman, hoping not to draw too much attention. "Is... this can't be intentional, can it?"
She finally calls over to Rexus, as she thinks she might have a way to fix the issue, "You need not pay me immediately... if I'm even of any help. If you have access to a ship, all that I ask is exotic spices and teas to refine my craft."
"I've got what I need right here. It'll just take a little bit of time to get this all on." Varuzhan begins the rather tedious process of fitting his breastplate over his body, and getting his arms and wings through the right gaps. He then dons his cloak, again attempting to hide his identity as best as possible. "I'll head to my place, if only to let the riffraff know I'm still alive despite not opening the shop last night. See you all soon."
In truth, Varuzhan wanted to make sure his place had not been ransacked as part of yesterday's events. There was at least some chance the authorities had figured out who he was and searched his home. But assuming his home looks undisturbed, Varuzhan then heads to the Livery, which is pretty close to his home in the Devil's Nursery.
"This one"? Miranda shook her head at the unfamiliar phrasing. Maybe something from this side of town? Anyway the linguistic peculiarities didn't really interest her so much as the woman's dress - or rather the reactions to it. She would have guessed Boros would turn red again but that didn't happen. Uhm? Hmm ... Instead Lily seemed to be in an awful hurry! Eh? Shaking her head again as she failed to make sense of things she turned to their unknowing, until now, benefactor. With a radiant grin she quipped - "Good luck on your meeting! And have fun!"
On an actually relevant topic she adds. "I think I might head home real quick ... can we make it a little over an hour?" Since she seemed to have *some* time, maybe she could sneak a peek at her spellbook - and offload her ill-gotten goods in a lead box somewhere!
Addressed by Lily, Mirai seems concerned at her distress and returns the whisper:"Is what intentional? Is this one's dress displeasing you? Most visitors find this one's breasts to their liking, which is why mylady choose such a dress, to let potential customers visually sample this one's body before reaching a decision. This one apologizes if she has given offense in any form-", she again bows deeply, to Lily, before standing and waiting if there's more.
Rexus, meanwhile, looks through his things:"I don't much care for the other things right now, but if you have it, could you please return my fathers letter? I would like to stash it away in a safe place. Regarding payment, I'll see how much I can scrounge up in such a hurry, so yeah, it may be more than an hour before I'm there, and while I'd prefer to pay my debts inmediately, I'll gladly repay them later in spices and teas, if it pleases you."
Turning to the Elven girl, he states:"Well, I think I'm as ready as can be, Mirai. Take me to the Madame. Lets hope the fact my least memorable visit here will likely turn out to be the most expensive one so far does not mean I'll be too poor to visit you again.", to which she replies with a soft smile:"Certainly, fortune will look favorfully upon you again. This one is patient, and will remain here waiting for your next visit, under better stars!"
Juliette had stayed mostly quiet while they were asking Rexus questions, instead, she had chosen to write notes, to make sure that she could explain to her Matron. She had decided against writing a letter to her matron, deciding that it might be best to simply explain herself, after all there were a few things she would need to retrieve from her quarters.
"If we are to be meeting up after we gather a few things, where should we meet up? Our destination is the Livery, correct, it may seem suspicious if some of us arrive there before the others, and simply wait outside, I suspect that there may be a better location some where less unusual. I do not want to suggest we meet in the slums either, most of us would stick out. Instead, maybe somewhere on Temple Hill?" The noblewoman suggested as she began to gather her belongings. "I need to stop by to see my Matron before we meet back up, it is my duty to explain to her what has happened, and I need to retrieve a few things."
"Of course, you can have all your things back, Rexus. You're just short one potion, which is the one we fed you." Varuzhan helps him retrieve his items from those that are scattered around the dormitory.
Lily frowns as the woman responds, tilting her head slightly, her lips becoming a thin line for a moment as she tries to process. Then she blinks a few times and stops trying to conceal the woman as she just silently stands for a moment. She opens her mouth... and then closes it. She seems too distracted to notice much of anything. "Sorry." she blurts out. "Your... breast... is quite nice. Round. I need to go." she finishes as she slips out the door, her skin being far too happy to show the rising heat of her blood as she makes her way to the door... and then 'home' to Songbird Hall.
Without taking his eyes of Mirai, he responds to Juliette:"Good thinking, but Temple Hill is too far...there's a little park, a bit north of the Livery, inbetween it and the Devil's Threads, and well away from the Devil's Nursery. Lets find each other there, loitering around in a park should not draw much attention if someone is early."
As he packs up his goods, he absent-mindedly addresses Varuzhan:"Much appreciated...thanks for your honesty and your help. I'll see you all in Redroof, then. Safe journey!", before departing together with the elven courtesan.
Nissim busies himself readying his possessions and the newly delivered items he received. He doesn't want to leave anything behind, and all the better to not stare too obviously at the elven girl sent to fetch Rexus.
Before yesterday he would have smirked at The Maiden's Head and its clients as a place for people with nothing to do and more money than sense. But his short experience there has caused him to see it in a different light. It's not so much about the elven girl, or any of them, as being immersed in a surreal wonderland that one can shape in any way imaginable. It is a seductive thing, and the exorbitant prices are probably a blessing. Otherwise one could become lost in here and never return.
Not that it matters much to him, such places as this were not for the humble and ordinary such as himself. Tempting as the idea of a future visit might be. It would probably cost his life savings just to sample a drop of something he would always long for more of afterward.
Nissim turns his thoughts instead to how best to spend the hour or so he has and decides going home is not the best option. He would get caught up in explaining his absence overnight, and find it difficult to get out again so soon.
He decides to find a quiet place to take coffee close to their meeting spot. He could prepare there, and hopefully overhear some of the most recent news. By this time gossip and stories about the events in Aria Park must be all over the city. Barzillai Thrune may have also moved in more than one way, not Aria Park alone, but elsewhere and against others. That had been his strategy on the Night of Ashes. Nissim would like to know what people are saying.
A couple of rolls for the coffee house to speed things along:
After waiting on Rexus to settle his account with the madam--an affair which still makes him smile as he remembers it--Boros follows the other man to the park at which the group is to meet prior to their inspection of the Livery. During the walk, Boros watches carefully for trouble in the form of dottari or more of those fellows from the day before, but it seems that the authorities have done the opposite of his expectations in light of yesterday's events, and kept patrols to the usual, pre-protest levels.
Arriving at the park, Boros finds a spot that offers a bit of shade and casual concealment both, as well as a good vantage point overlooking the street, and settles in to await the rest of the group's arrival. As he does so, he speaks with Rexus about the prospect for acquiring, at reduced cost, the raw materials that he needs to make more ammunition for his pistol. Though well aware that Rexus is not alchemist himself, Boros figures that as a far-ranging trader with a ship to work with, Rexus may be able to finagle the materials through his contacts at a good price.
Toward the end of their wait, Boros decides to make sure he's in top form in case of any trouble, and so puts together a small meal with some food he'd thought to bring from the leftovers in the bawdy house's dorm before they left. He also offers a bit to Rexus, idly commenting that as the man who paid for their repast, he merits a share. While he says this, Boros is grinning openly, clearly amused by Rexus' reaction to the bill, which while not outrageously high, was still a fair chunk of money if one wasn't expecting it.
You all make it out of the Maiden's Head, using a separate exit usually used for deliveries. You move a bit together, but once you are certain that you are not being followed, your group quickly splits up, preparing to meet again at the park near the livery in a little over an hour.
As you make your way towards the park where you're supposed to meet the others, you see a few tieflings bent over someone in a side street turned into a dead-end by a recent building collapse nobody cared to clean away. Seeing you, they scatter, half running, half crawling over the rubble to get away. The person they bent over does not move.
When it's all said and done, you and Rexus leave the Maiden's Head, circling around west, then north, and east again, along the river. Around the area with the piers, Rexus asks you to wait for a while, while he meets with someone. He does not want you to come with him.
Namely, the reason why patrols in the city are quite thin right now. After yesterdays show of force, Thrune seemingly expects that any remaining rebels would attempt to flee the city, or seek help from outside forces. Trusting the inquisition to root them out inside the city, he has the Dottari essentially cut Kintargo off from the outside world. At the city gates, there are extensive controls of everything and everybody entering or leaving, there's double-shifts patrolling the walls, and rumor has it the harbor has been quarantined...no new ships get to enter at this time, and none may depart, while they are also searched.
Once satisfied the situation is secure, he then takes a look at the body and sees whether he or she is still alive and well.
Could you point me to how you use Knowledge Local to gather information instead of Diplomacy? I only found getting a bonus in alley witch...(Regardless, even if I treat your Perception roll(nothing to see) as a Diplomacy and give you a penalty for only having a single hour, you do learn a bit...)
After Nissim has spent his time communing with Lugo and making his alchemical preparations, he goes to the park to rendezvous with the others.
As he eats, Boros thinks back to the brief detour Rexus had made when they reached the riverside docks. Well aware of his lack of stealth, Boros had made no effort to covertly follow the other man and learn what was occuring, but he intended to bring the meeting to the attention of the others when Rexus was out of earshot. Perhaps one of them could tease some useful information forth from Rexus on the subject.
Thinking of Rexus' actions brings Boros' wandering thoughts, by association, to the bawdy house, and he smiles briefly in reminiscence as he recalls being propositioned by the quite attractive working girl in the unusual outfit. Alas, time and money--or more specifically, the lack of both--had prevented him from pursuing that offer any further. And then his thoughts skip a bit further back, and his face is lit with a fierce blush as he recalls, in almost uncomfortably sharp detail, the other attractive female he'd gotten a good look at in the bawdy house.
Cursing under his breath at the unexpected vividness of that particular memory, Boros strives to get his errant thoughts under control before the inspection of the Livery begins. "The last thing I want or need right now," he thinks to himself as the blush finally starts to leave his face much more slowly than it had arrived, "Is to be carrying on like some wet-behind-the-ears boy seeing his first piece of tail." He then winces as that unfortunate word choice brings to mind a particular tail, causing the blush to redouble in intensity.
Taking care to ensure that he's out of easy view of the street, as well as anyone else in the park, Boros unholsters his pistol and begins a careful inspection of its parts, counting on the familiarity of the activity to get his mind back on business.
Armed with the knowledge of *what* she needed Miranda was simply presented with the challenge of *where* to find it. Which, at the moment, seemed a bit difficult. But after wandering back and forth a bit she finally finds a store that carries boxes that would suit her needs. Rejecting the trader's offer for cheap tin-foil hats to go with the box, Miranda quickly makes her purchase and slips in to a side alley. There she takes a deep breath and slips the Unholy Symbol into the box, casts Pass Without Trace and heads out through the other end - immediately heading for the Livery. Heading home would probably take too long time and no Miranda was probably less helpful then Miranda-with-one-less-spell! Well I hope so anyway!
Miranda arrives into the park a little bit winded. Pew! I think I made it on time! With an expectant grin she looks around for the rest of the small gathering...
Of peculiar notice is that the cause of death seems to be blood loss...but with no visible wounds. Still, not a single drop of blood seems to be left in the corpse.
As Boros examines his pistol, he takes frequent pauses to examine his surroundings, watching for dottari or the others of the group. Eventually, he spots Nissim, followed shortly by Miranda, and he waves the duo over to where he and Rexus are waiting.
Once Nissim gets close enough to speak to without being overheard by other parkgoers, Boros asks, quite interestedly, about his bombs. "Now that we've got a bit o' time to spend on the matter, what all can ya do with those interestin' little tools of yers?" While he waits for Nissim's answer, he flashes Miranda a quick grin. "And if either o' ya have yer own questions about the pistol, or guns in general, go ahead and ask."
There are small holes, bite marks as if from fangs, in the persons neck.
For some time you're not been entirely sure, but in the end, you are almost certain that these bite marks were added to the body post-mortem.
You cannot deduce how the blood was drained from the body, but you are pretty sure it was not through the neck.
Rexus looks at the bombs on Nissim that Boros points out, then looks at the gun:"I have heared of these...pistols, you speak of. Supposedly punch through a breastplate like it's not there. Nasty stuff. And those things, it's alchemy, right? Had a ships doctor once who liked to dabble in it, almost burned my ship down. Now, I KNOW about those...bombs, and I heared the same about these guns...they are LOUD. As in, if we go into the livery and you carelessly use either, people outside will hear, and will wonder what's going on. I don't think we want very much attention until we're ready to leave, so please restrain yourselves...it's not like there should be any trouble, despite those claims that it's haunted." Boros sits down in the park, placing a heavy backpack besides him, then leaning back against a tree:"What an awful week. I sure hope things turn around in there, because if the luck from the past few days holds, we'll run into Thrune's elite guard waiting for us already-", he laughs.
"Look, I'm very thankful you guys saved me in that alley. And I'm sorry you all got involved...but things are as they are...you all stated wanting to stay in Kintargo...this is your fight more than it would be mine. But Thrune, he' up to no good. He's trying to break this city. Hard. I know what happened yesterday seemed bad...who am I kidding, it WAS bad...but there's still some who have the guts to stand against these oppressors. Life as you knew it? It's over. Think well if you want to bow to Thrune and hope everything works out for you...because the two alternatives I see are leaving Kintargo, or joining the fight against the paracount. I can get you in contact with what remains of my group if you choose the later, or take you on board my ship if you wish to leave, after we're done here. Sorry, I'm getting old and start ranting - lets first focus on getting in and out of that livery without incident...but seriously, do think about what I said. I'm not planning on waiting around and find out if any of these Thugs remember who I am, so if you need a contact or want to leave, it's then or never."
"They are quite strange those gun-wands of yours ..." Miranda starts with a curious smile, taking the opportunity to ask about something that had been nagging her for a while! "... how do they work magic without magic? That seems odd!"
As for Rexus offer Miranda has already thought enough. Kintago was her home dammit and she'd be damned (err maybe more damned? Hmm ...) if she let some blabbering paracount toss her out! But suspecting that going on a fiery tirade about the paracounts flaws might only get herself worked up - and at worst noticed - so she settled for merely making a small nod and noting - "No, I'll stay. But having allies is always handy ..."
Varuzhan decides that bringing the body to a temple by himself probably would not work out right. Some humans carrying him in a stretcher or coffin could be explained. A strange creature alone hauling a body out of the slums was a lot harder. Instead, he takes careful note of the man's health and condition, knowing that he might not get another chance to see this body. He then hides it amidst the rubble. .
Once he catches up to the group, he shares his strange findings. Quietly, of course. "On the way here, I found a man in an alley with his blood drained from his body. At first I thought it might be the work of Strigoi - Vampires. And I even found what looked like bite marks in its neck. But the bite marks weren't right - they were added after the man suffered his fate. Something was pretending it was a vampire. I hid the body to show you later, but there's no telling for sure whether it'll still be there when we're done."
Before leaving the Maiden's head, Juliette pulls Lily aside. "If something happens to me, it's better that I don't have this on me, take care of it for me, ok?" She asks the girl as she drops her signet ring into her hand.
Juliette turns out her pockets and then holds out her hands to show Camille that she doesn't have her ring. "I couldn't think of any reason why anyone would want my signet ring, but now if they are here, perhaps I can understand. But who would do such a thing?" She looks over the the people arguing at the entrance.
"What should I do Camille? I haven't done anything wrong, maybe they would understand if I explained it to them?" Juliette asked her neighbor worriedly.
"Sorry, I'm a bit late, ran into a bit of trouble as I was tying off loose ends." Juliette explains to the others as she arrives at the park and finds them rather easily...they did kind of stick out, making her glad they decided to meet somewhere less conspicuous.
When Miranda asks her question, Boros thinks for a moment before replying. "I don't know the exact reasons behind it myself, but when the gunpowder is ignited, it explodes. Because the explosion is confined by the barrel o' the gun, there's only the open end for it escape through. If ya put a bit o' somethin', like a lead bullet, down the barrel so that it almost seals the whole thin' shut, the powder's explosion'll force it out at killin' speeds." As Boros speaks, he points out the relevant parts of the gun--taking care not to aim the barrel at anyone as he does so--and also displays a bullet and a bit of gunpowder from his dwindling supply.
"Powder's a dwarven invention, and they're still the ones who understand it best, but any reasonably competent alchemist or gunsmith can make it. With the right skills, ya' could even make special alchemical loads that do some right nasty stuff," Boros concludes as he holsters his pistol. He then looks over at Rexus with one eyebrow raised slightly in a faint expression of disdain. "I know ya meant nothin' but good by yer words, but give me a bit o' credit for brains. I know that pistol ain't made for stealth, and I know when not to use it as a result. I'm sure Nissim," he says as he points toward the other man, "is just as aware of what his bombs are about. That said, though, if I gotta' choose between a bit o' noise and a bit o' dead, guess what I'm goin' with."
Boros then turns his thoughts to Rexus' offer of escape. He doesn't consider it for but a moment before shaking his head in refusal. "Generous offer yer makin', to help get us out, but I got a job here to support those that oppose that daft paracount, and the job's not done yet. So I'm stayin'."
When Varuzhan and Juliette appear at the park themselves, Boros smiles slightly to see them safe, though that smile quickly disappears when he hears what Varuzhan has to report. He stares flatly at Varuzhan for several heartbeats, then shakes his head in disgust. "Well isn't that incredibly cheerin' to learn. As if this city doesn't have enough to deal with while his Thrune-ness is in residence. Now we get to add some addled bastard who thinks they're one o' the 'children o' the night' or some such. And I know, as sure as if Torag himself had told me, that that ain't the first body, nor the last."
Lily accepts the ring without question, simply nodding.
She moved quietly into the temple, careful to dodge anyone who would keep her... at least for now, and headed into her room. She quickly - and angrily - undressed down to her armor... which mostly involved simply taking off her blouse before replacing it with a gray-blue shirt of layered silk. She then went to her desk and scribbled out a note... which wound up with lots of heavy slants and long lines, though still with beautiful handwriting.
You are a cheeky little monkey, and you have no idea how angry I am with you right now. You took me to a brothel for our second date. What sort of girl do you take me for? I hope that you were painfully disappointed with how the night went. Just to spite you, I'm not even going to tell you what I was doing in the brothel in the first second place.
Regardless... I have decided to help a man learn about those things that his family gave his life for... I would involve you, were it my secret to share, but it is not. I expect to see you again soon... hopefully before the weekend comes.
Love Always,
Lily
She leaves the letter on her desk, folding it, before applying her makeup. She was careful to leave out both the name of the intended recipient... and most of the vital information, in case one of the other priests was a snoop, before putting on a leather harness that would hold her crossbow in place on her back, and allow her quarrels to stay near her hands, before putting on an ebony and emerald jacket over the whole ensemble. She was aware that the blue-gray would clash... but it was her least favorite shirt, and she expected for it to not survive the day, anyway. She then proceeded to fold the letter into a small square that held itself closed, before kissing it... and then touching up her lipstick once more.
She then headed back into the church proper... and if nothing held her up, she'd head off to the Fair Fortune.
Lily returns, or rather appears, at the park near the Fair Fortune. She's wearing a blue-gray silken blouse along with a green-and-black jacket which doesn't quite reach her waist, but does a reasonable job of concealing the light crossbow on her back. She looked every bit like she didn't expect to go urban spelunking soon... or perhaps she simply didn't remember how to dress down. Though the fashion savvy would have questions regarding the shirt, given the rest of her ensemble.
She stayed quiet as everyone explained their role. "I... point the curved end at the target and pull the trigger." she offers, lifting her jacket to show the crossbow on her back a little more. Probably meant to be a joke, though she seems a bit too nervous to pass it off as one. She becomes more earnest once Rexus speaks up again, "This city is my home."