You approach closer and realize it is Synthia "Blood Scythe". She is a newly appointed member of the Vernai. She takes you through the cavern until it stops at what appears to be an opening and a dead end, though you know better than to assume the path stops here. These caverns are filled with hidden passages.
In the opening stands nine other members of the Vernai. All cloaked in ceremonial red hooded robes. In the center is a man bound and gagged and appears to have been beaten. You recognize him as a local go-between for contracts.
"This man conspired against us. After some torture and magical compulsions, we have learned his secrets. It appears our services are no longer appreciated by the local cult of Nethys. We will send them a message." She stands the man up then steps back.
There is chanting in the room from the Vernai that echoes, and builds. Then suddenly the chamber is filled with large red preying mantids. They swarm fill the chamber in a swirl of red death. The man's screams can be heard through his gag as they leave only bones and fatty bits on his corpse.
"We will take his body to their temple. Their priests will be able to see what we did and know our anger. They will taste fear knowing we are coming for them, but it will make your job a bit more difficult. " Synthia looks at you intently.
"But if you truly are favored by He Who Walks In Blood, than it will just be a routine contract. It so happens that the priests of Sarenrae also have an issue with the local cult of Nethys. The church would never hire us directly, but a zealous follower of Sarenrae has had enough. "
She sleeps you a piece of paper with the mark's name on it and where and when he can be found. Father Dado. Bazaar during the day, hut behind the main church of Nethys in the center of town at night. Make a display, but do not be caught. Give him the Red Blessing.
You understand that you are now dismissed and have your task ahead of you.
Seifer nods once and salutes again in that particular way of his, before turning and walking back through the caverns.
The walk gives Seifer time to change his mindset, devolving back into his meeker persona, allowing him to walk among crowds of people without drawing attention to himself. He heads toward the Bazaar, hoping to observe his target and the interactions Father Dado has with those around him before looking for this hut.
You walk among the people in the Bazaar. It is a hot day, and not helped by the wind which produces powerful gusts that have you shielding your eyes from time to time. You see Father Dado preaching a top a rock at the end of the Bazaar to people leaving.
"Beware those that seek to encroach upon our lands in the name of peace. Do not be fooled by this rouse! They are selfish and will take what you will not give! Ask our neighbors to the east of these vile nomads. They seem innocent until you deny them what they desire! And what is that? Your very souls! The Dawnflower seeks to burn out anything it deems impure. Perhaps if you are perfect you have nothing to fear. But what of your siblings? Your children? Please fellow citizens heed my words!" The preacher has several sycophants cheering him on and a few stop to listen to him, but fewer still seem to take him serious.
Hmm...Sycophants hanging on his every word. It may be difficult to get him alone, best check for magic defenses. Thinking such, Seifer finds a quiet corner of the market and makes arcane gestures with his hands while chanting, "አስማትን ፈልግ"
Accomplishing his spell he uses what crowds he can to get close and observe any magic on the man and his followers in passing.
You stand there watching for a few rounds and can see that he does have a ring on that has an aura of enchantment. One of the sycophants has a khopesh that has a magical aura. No one seems to notice you.
"So what do we do about this threat you ask? By Nethys you fight. Fight back and retake the lands stolen from us. There is a settlement of these gypsies just south of here. Rally my people!" Father Dado's attempt to incite a mob is a failure, but he seemed to gain one more sycophant in the time you have been watching him.
Getting the information he needs Seifer lets the spell drop, Well, that's intriguing. I'll have to avoid that follower in particular. Or make friends with them...
Concerned that Dado is talking about the followers of Achaekek he asks one of the people around him, hoping they've been around long enough to answer, "What 'gypsies' is this man talking about? He seems to want war..."
He is talking about the followers of Sarenrae. There is a group of them healing refugees and preaching in the south. An assimar woman whispers in to you, careful not to be seen or heard by the others.
Seeing that he will not incite enough people to his cause he gets off the rock he was standing on with the help of some sycophants and starts to walk towards the church of Nethys in the middle of town. Three of his sycophants follow him. Including the one with the magical khopesh.
Seifer nods and thanks the woman for her time. Time to go and check out that hut he spends time at during the night.
Walking on a street parallel to Dado's own Seifer begins reviewing the information he already has on the man.
Father Dado and his people do not seem to notice you shadowing them. He stops from time to time to talk and give blessings to people that come up to him. It has been a few hours now and the sun is starting to go down.
"Father, it is time we get you back to your residence. It is getting late." The unidentified man with the magical khopesh says.
"Oh very well Baako. It is dry today, inform my servants I shall need a bath." Father Dado says as he continue's on.
Seifer continues keeping tabs and mentally raises an eyebrow. Baako. Now there's a name with a face. He called Dado 'Father', so I can assume he's a member of the church. Time to learn more about Dado and his followers, I'll explore his residence tomorrow when he's gone...
He turns and heads for the church of Nethys, hoping to pose as an aspirant and learn something of Dado.
You feel confident in your disguise as a member of the church, and it is welcoming enough, at least at first. You notice those with magical ability sit at the front, and those without sit in the back. A few of the clergy members have painted their faces half black, and half white.
There is a bard dressed in half black half white including his face playing music on a balalaika, the tune is soothing.
Collection plates are being passed around. Ushers take notice of those that give tithes, and those that do not. Those with magical ability also cast spells into various magical items of spell storing as a sign of piety.
To keep his disguise up Seifer sits closer to the back, not wanting to advertise his ability to cast spells, and puts a couple of gold into the collection plate. He sidles up to another in his row, asking, "Why is it that some of the priests are missing for tonight's ceremonies? You would think that on a sacred night like tonight that everyone would be here..."
"Is this your first half night brother? Song and praise is the first half, sermons will come after. The priest is preparing. Was their someone you were hoping to hear?" A small Halfling in dirty cloths answers.
"It is. I have a minor interest in all religious holidays and heard about one man in particular, a Father Dado?"
"Oh Father Dado is only a minor member of the clergy. He will be in attendance, but unlikely he will speak. I am with you though brother, it is a good thing Father Dado is speaking out against those Sarenites. They seem harmless, but I know better."
As the night goes on several priests take the podium to praise the light and dark half of the moon. Father Dado stands in the front, he seems to be some sort of liason between the ushers, security and the clergy.
An inquisitor? He should be looking for traitors to his own faith, not stirring trouble against another. Well, he won't be able to do that much more in the future...
Seifer continues observing the ceremony all while looking at the structure of the church in case he has to return to this location in the future.
At the end of the night Seifer leaves with the congregation and heads back to the small room his siblings who Walk in Blood provide. The next morning he returns to town, instead of heading to the Bazaar, going to the hut behind the church to look the place over. He again casts his detection spell and wanders around the premises looking for two things, a place to enter the building, and magical alarms that may be in place.
The hut has a guard posted outside which is odd. The locals seem to avoid it. It is small and there seems to be only one door. You seem to recall Father Dado requesting a bath, but this hut does not seem large enough to have a bath and a bed.
Seifer observes the man walking closer to him, looking for tell-tale hints of magic. "I'm sorry my friend, I was just casting a spell to take the heat off of my back. I did not mean to alarm you in any way. What is it you are doing over there all by yourself?"
Seifer stops his casting and looks at the man, "My apologies, I was just using a spell to read a book that I have picked up. Is that not allowed so close to Nethys' own church?" Another question comes upon him and he steps closer to the guard to avoid drawing attention, "And what are you doing here all by yourself?"