In route to the capital, Ragar begins to formulate a plan of sorts.
Lady Natalia, what say I act as your bodyguard throughout the discussions. I am certain that such diplomatic talks would be better handled by you. I tend to lose my temper too early to glean any positive information. Plus, acting as your bodyguard does not put me out of my comfort zone at all. Do you have any ideas on what kind of cover you will use when approaching the assassins, or do we need one at all?
He smiles with a large toothy grin.
Natalia smiles to Ragar, "Why Ragar, I was about to propose the same idea, and not just for this mission. We appear to be very similar in our attitudes and goals compared to the rest of the family... My brain and your... braun will be able to achieve any goal"
Natalia smiles, "As for now, using cover would just get us into an issue. I prefer to go with the forward approach. We walk in, tell them to stay out of Absalom, if they resist, we kill them as an example for refusing our command, simple as that."
Ragar again smiles broadly with a mischievous bent.
I like the way you think Lady Natalia. This should be fun!
The pair continue onto the capital.
Looks like I'll go first Tabby declares as she heads to the room that will portal her back to the Tavern.
Once through Tabby surveys the room to determine what is diferent than the last time she was there
Knowledge (local):
"Not much reason to wait here in Shadow Absalom, Rupert let's go ahead and get back to Golarion, Yasushi you mentioned it might be being run by a local council man, Could I get his name? and Also does this orphanage have a name?" Castieen calls after his other partner and heads through the portal once he gets some answers.
First to take stock of the situation is there a window?
If there is a window Tabby will check out the window to see how high up the room is and survey the surrounding streets for any signs of "suspisions" activity. (also look up for potential aerial preditors)
If no window: Tabby will be as stealthy as possible to slip into a position to see the common room and survey the current activity. attempt to see if the place is much different than the previous visit during the initiation.
Natalia smiles, she was always prepared for any surprises. She glances at Ragar and geastures lightly with her head towards the waiting man. She walks closer to the man and puts on a friendly face.
"Hello handsome, you appear to be waiting for someone or something. Found more likely at this point! Might we inquire as to your presence here?"
Ragar fingers his double axe as he approaches the stranger slightly behind lady Natalia with an imposing grimace on his face.
Natalia chuckles, "Unless your a citizen, and then you can lead us in, correct?"
Perception:
Ragar draws his double axe and steps forward.
Exactly what do ya want, and why are ya waiting on us?
Team Absalom
Tabby straighten's herself up and comes down the stairs into the common room as if she has just finished with a satisfied customer.
She makes her way to the barkeep and orders an ale.
She sits at the bar withe her drink and takes stock of the patroms and guage what reactions there are at her presence (if any at all).
She attemts to judge the demeanor of the few patrons that appeared to have a shady diposition
Natalia puts her hand on Ragar's arm to calm him. "So what is it you want friend, for showing us the way inside the city? Never met anyone in this world who would do anything for free" Natalia hides her caustion with her friendly smile. Something is quite off
Nodding again, Rupert gestures to Castieen and follows the departed Kyrani. Arriving in the inn, he walks downstairs, seeing that the tavern is once again filled, though this time with normal-looking patrons. Picking a chair at a table with his back against the wall, he waits, either for his other compatriots or a serving wench.
Castieen proceeds behind Rupert, arriving at the table and setting across from him, confident that his team mates would watch his back."The littles hero was it?" he asks himself more than anyone else.
Team Absalom
Tabby takes notice of her teamates enter the tavern but for now does not join them. she continues with her flirting with the other male patrons looking for signs of someone that may know a little more than they seem.
Team Absalom
"Aye, that's what they said." Rupert looks around the room, noting Kyrani. "Looks like she's already started," he says, nodding toward her. "But where's the damn serving girl!? What's it take to get a roast suckling pig around here?" Rupert's nostrils flare in irritation as his stomach growls.
Team Absalom
Taking a look around for a serving girl seeing her freinds getting hungry. Tabby looks for an empty serving tray and grabs it heading to Rupert's table.
Good evening Sir sorry I was a bit distracted by a rude customer. Can I take your order? Tabby gives Rupert a wink as she asks for his order.
Lady Natalia taps her foot as she tries to get a closer look at the weapon at the guys waist. "So when do we met your brother, friend?"
Why...look what we have here. You three looking for something special? Sweet asks with a sly grin suddenly appearing just a few feet away from Lady Natalia and Ragar.
The five foot nine blonde looks much different than the lady you remember in the tavern only a few hours ago. Her revealing dress has been replaced with black leather pants, a black agile breast plate, and a dark cloak. Her shadowy face Is hardened like that of a true killer. Strapped to her side is a curved sword. As you look closer, you notice she is tapping her index finger on the hilt of a ruby encrusted blood knife sheathed at her belt.
I am here to lead you three into Nidal. Sweet hands Natalia the traveling papers which provide entrance into the city for Sweet and three others. I am guessing you know what to do once we get there?
Natalia examines Sweet for a good minute, her eyes narrowed slightly. She says nothing as she takes the papers from her and examines them. She looks back to sweet, "Let's go, we've wasted enough time in this forest as it is...'
She begins to stalk away from the party and heads towards the city, she speaks behind her in a whisper to Sweet. "Plan is simple, we tell them to stay out of Absalom. If they refuse, Ragar's going to use his charming personality to convince them otherwise"
Whispering back to Lady Natalia The boss made it clear to me that we do not need to break any laws or start any fights within the city limits. He said we needed to be very careful. You will have the diplomatic lead once we arrive.
Ragar...good to see you again big guy. Darkstalker.. She nods in the Halfling's direction.
Sweet begins leading the team towards the city, paying attention to the surroundings as they go and being on guard for anyone who may be following them.
Perception:
Ragar nods and smiles at Sweet.
Yes, a pleasure...welcome to the party.
Natalia walks behind Sweet as she leads the way to the city. "I'm sure we can come to an arrangement with them..."
She smiles slightly to herself remembering the last time she had to sit down and work out a political matter. It ended with her bathed in blood, surrounded by the mutilated corpses of her entire family! Soon she would return to Irissia and claim back her birthright! Soon she would return and wipe the smug smiles off of all of Baba Yaga's kin! But first she needed power, and this was the fastest way to get it!
The silence of the forest is broken by Natalia's cackle
Lady Natalia's evil cackle raises the hairs on Sweet's neck and causes goose bumps to form on her arms. She pushes forward while stopping every half mile or so to cover the group's tracks and to check for trailers.
If this group is powerful enough to be on the boss' map, I am sure they have lookouts surrounding the city.
Survival to cover the tracks:
Taking his mind off his stomach, Rupert leans forward in his chair. "So, Castieen, right? Do you know anything about this orphanage?"
Tabby eventually joins her companions at the table.
Well I am not so sure anyone here knows much about this orphanage. I would suggest we look into the local churches they usually have connections with the various orphanages
Rupert frowns, thinking. He thinks aloud, talking at least as much to himself as the others. "Possibly. But this doesn't sound like an orphanage that affiliates itself with any of the normal churches.I don't see Abadar or Sarenrae sanctioning a place like this. Maybe Calistria? They may have at least heard of it, and it's better than anything else we've got."
we may also need to learn the local slave trade here but the question is... who would need children as slave labor? or do you think its the Sex trade?
Tabby again surveys the establishment to see if there are any that may have some interest in our conversation.