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The servant does not allow himself to be pushed aside by neither Alafair or Filios. He maintains a warrior's stance as he fill up the doorway.
"I'm sure you are, Lady. But you are not expected and we are currently occupied with other... matters. Let me know where you are staying and we shall call upon you with a more... formal appointment."
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Come now, my good man, the Lady would surely not mind waiting. I would think you would garner more favor from your employer by allowing someone as esteemed as my benefactor to sit in patience until we could be seen. The face that you will lose will no doubt be far worse than allowing us to wait inside, than if you dismiss such an important guest out of turn.
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Filios's honeyed words softens the doorman to tilt his head ever-so-slightly in the party's direction with an arched eyebrow. Lacaw's raven eyes notice a upward curve of his lips as he opens the door wide to allow the party passage into Rutowski's townhouse.
Almoch escorts everybody to the study. This room is squared with dark maroon walls, walnut trim with brocade rugs on its floor. Arrangements of plush velvet and leather couches provide comfortable seating, while a crackling fireplace creates a cozy feel. A small, glass topped bar in the corner boasts an elegant collection of vintage brandies and fine elven wines.
A fine-featured gentleman of mixed Taldan and Ustalavic descent reclines on a fainting couch, though his pointed ears and upturned eyes betray an even more exotic ancestry. He gently lays aside the book in his hand. Markov Rutowski glares at the party with unfriendly disdain.
“You’re clearly not locals, nor are you expected. I know only Pathfinders to be so bold. Your fearless little Society has already taken enough from me. Leave or I will call the guards.”
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"Kaw! I am Lacaw of he Brokewing tribe. I am not so good with the common tongue so please excuse any mis-speakings. I see you are reading, I believe the written word to be the greatest gift ever bestowed to all thinking-creatures." the tengu pauses a moment before looking hard at the courtesan.
"I, Lacaw, read also." the bird man says resolutely poking himself in the chest. "I read the posture of your manservant the instant he opened the door. He is a formally trained fighter, yes? Kaw! He could protect you and your beautiful nest very well Lacaw would wager. But what of your tribe, this town and place? Warrior-Servant save everyone? Help us find the path to what you've lost so that it can be returned to you. It is the right thing, yes."
Kaw. Oh boy, stop waggling tongues Brokewing. Watch, listen.
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Ulflafa kneels down so be at eye level with the sitting man. We are not here to deal the past, but the future. Former associates of a fried of yours are turning up dead. We mean to put an end to this, before anyone else dies. While we would prefer to save your old companion, he cannot be permitted to kill again, and you could well be his next victim unless you help us.
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The Northwoman request for help leaves Markov cold. He warms up to Filios's pleas along with Ruprecht's assistance and Lacaw's jovial manner. Rutowski sighs and closes his book, gesturing to the other overstuffed chairs and divans that fill the room.
“Forgive me. I sometimes forget that it was Ardis’s machinations that took my beloved away from me, and not the Pathfinder Society itself. I shall try to help you however I can.”
“I do not know where he is currently. He was here, however. Not five days ago he stood where you are now, ranting and raving about Judge Pradowca and her lofty position. He was… so different from the Vonran I loved. So cold—hate just roiling off of him. If you are here to help him, do so. Please.”
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"My dear, I would fear for those whom Vonran bears a grudge toward, though the worst offenders moved on decades ago to Caliphas. Of all his remaining accusers, Judge Cevianna Pradowca is the worst. She bore a grudge against Vonran for refusing to wed her and so she turned her courtroom into a weapon against him. She’s the one who handed down his banishment from Ustalav after all. I wager he’ll hunt her next. So as you can see, I'll be fine. Of course and strong arm and locked door do have their advantages."
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Nodding as the man declines protection, Alafair can only agree with Lacaw. The next stop is likely with the spurned judge, Cevianna Pradowca. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, dear Markov. If you are ever in Taldor, do look me up, I am sure we have lots to discuss."
Even in far off lands, Alafair remembers her manners and drops a small curtsy to the "lord" of the house before setting off with the others. Along the way, she recalls if she knows anything about Judge Pradowca.
yeesh, lousy roll...
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After given reassurances that you are here to help Vonran, Markov offers the group gifts and political favors for future endeavors. As the Pathfinders are escorted outside, a gust of chilled wind blows through as the twilight sets in. The full moon begins to peak from behind the hills. Somewhere in the distance, an eerie howl echoes through the streets.
Alafair remembers that in Ardis, as in many cities, judges lodge in their respective courthouses. After asking a few of the locals, our heroes discover that Judge Pradowca’s courtroom lies in the city center, halfway across the city from Rutowski’s townhouse.
Mist begins to creep back from the shadows after the sun as the Pathfinder pace the streets to their destination. The black granite edifice of the courthouse looms high above its enclosing wall, though a gate ahead stands ajar. A scream breaks the evening’s silence, and upon the wide, stone steps two figures fall prone. A third, hulking form unleashes a furious howl before bounding to the roof and through an open skylight. The courthouse door stands ajar, and a low growling echoes from somewhere within.
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"We're too late, kaw!" the tengu says to his companions, "Let's hurry, we might still have time, by the grace of Apsu."
Lacaw cranes his neck towards the skylight curiously, and adds, "If friends would like, Lacaw will climb up and use my natural ancestral gift of gliding to come in from above? Or would you prefer to stay together? Safety in numbers, but time is of the essence..." the bird man puzzles aloud, looking to the others for quick advice.
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The dark courtroom looks like a scene out of a nightmare. A young woman, perhaps twenty, lies on the floor with her throat torn out. Across the room, a well-preserved older woman stands atop her bench, supporting a bleeding arm and swinging a ceremonial blade erratically. Four slobbering mongrels, each as much dog as wild wolf, circle her makeshift tower.
"Do you know who I am. Do. You. Know?!? Ahhhh!"
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Filios dances in-between Roary and Ulflafa. With curved blade in hand, he barely reaches the far right hound. The rogue catches the canine by surprise and cuts a long strike into dark crimson coat.
Pluto retaliates by rearing up to bear fangs and claws.
Still in shock from its bloodied wound, Pluto is unable to land a notable attack.
Sensing one of their own injured, Scooby turns to defend his wolf brother.
Scooby must have got some of Pluto's blood in his eye, because he couldn't hit the elf either.
Brian and Astro pull away from the judge to lend aid as well.
... And a mouthful of nothing.
Ulflafa charges forward striking the first wolfhound before her. She crashes into it with might and fury creating a large cracking sound it its back.
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Lacaw quork's an inutterable word of prayer to his foreign god, invoking Divine favor. He rushes with beasteial ferocity to the aid of his allies - swinging a massively talon'd claw at the throat of the nearest hound. a swirling golden aura envelops the tengu.
As the battle ensues, a loud "KAW"can be heard by all as the exotic Dragonpriest leaps into the middle of the carnage.
Divine Favor 10/10
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Ruprecht's aim is true, but he only hits Brian's heel.
Lacaw is unsure what these canines are but they do appear to be living, breathing animals. He dips and jukes his way into position before landing among the fray. Lacaw nearly takes an eye out with his claw o'doom.
Roary runs and jumps into position, catching Brian by surprise. His Earthsbreaker soon becomes filled with brain matter as the maul kills Brian.
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Alafair goes full-defensive. Filios goes full-defensive.
The judge withdraws behind her large desk.
Pluto rears up again and lays into Filios.
Again the hound is unable to overcome the elf's defenses. Scooby tries his paw at getting a piece of Filios.
Astro though tries to return the favor as he tries to eat some crow.