Mama Bess |
Ghiv, all your allies have weighed in that we don't see it as fitting our mission to kill these people. You won't have help doing it, and some of us would try to incapacitate you (without killing you) if you try. Are you willing to go with the majority on this one?
Sa'Kage |
Mission over Kage heads off into the sunset, he looks once back over his shoulder to make sure his fellow mantises where coming too. The guild would contact them soon, but for now there was nothing to be done. Kage felt a certain professional level of satisfaction over the way they had handled the affair, but something about Ricer rankled with him. Musing on this, the young tith'kali thought, 'It's not that by killing the mark we released the abomination that bothers me. No it's the fact Ricer didn't tell us. I wonder, was he planning on paying, or maybe he was banking on us getting slaughtered...'
DM Stalwart |
In the interest of moving things along to the next mission, I'm going to go ahead and ... do that. :) Ghiv, it seems that you're outvoted, and not having heard from you for the last day or so, let's just say you relent and join the rest of the party as they head back to Belde.
The assassins make their way back through the forest and into the fields outside of Belde. As they pass by a small roadside shrine to Desna, Cortaud, the skinny Mantis agent that they met after Ricer, makes himself known to them.
"Five go in the woods, five come out. I sense a completed ritual, but some bitterness. It didn't go well?" he asks.
Eris Triguna |
Eris frowns slightly "We suspect our employer deliberately kept things from us, important information that could have resulted in our deaths had not the defenders of our target defended ourselves, after we had eliminated the dryad."
Shrugging her shoulders, Eris continues "One of our party seemed keen on eliminating said defenders after the threat had been dealt with, but I disagreed, seeing that they had no further cause for conflict with us, and would not hinder us further. Perhaps I was wrong, perhaps not, but it was a philosophical difference, nothing more."
"Enough about our minor domestic however, I presume we have a new ritual to perform?"
Ghiv Masdara |
Didn't have anything to add. And certainly wasn't gonna bog things down further.
These left three alive who know us, our faces, and our allegiance to the Dark Mantis. Other brothers and sisters should be dispatched to slay them, they may cause trouble. Ghiv grumbles
DM Stalwart |
Cortaud looks at Ghiv with a serious expression. "I'll take note and deal with them if it becomes necessary. But you shouldn't have to concern yourselves with them further. I've procured transportation for you to travel down the Maiestas River to the coastline. I believe you will leaving Cheliax for a time."
Eris Triguna |
"So many fond memories of Cheliax, but, I won't particularly object to seeing it go, a collection of assassinations in the same region is going to draw attention, and traveling somewhere else is a nice change of scenery."
I found a praying Mantis on my laptop this morning, its surely a sign!
DM Stalwart |
Cortaud smiles his too-wide smile in agreement. "True. You're going to meet up with Vespid. Her ship awaits you near the Pillars of Anferita, at the mouth of the river. That's really all I know at this point. I hope we meet again, my brothers and sisters in blood."
He hands you five letters of passage on a barge that will be hauling timber and other products. It is a sturdy, flat-bottomed vessel, well-suited for traversing the occasionally rough and swift-flowing waters. The river voyage is expected to take two or three days.
The nondescript vessel the Bantu Wind is moored just out in the deeper waters away from the strange ruins of an ancient civilization that make up the Pillars of Anferita. A small launch is waiting to take you to the Wind, where you are given a warm reception. A feast is available and access to hot baths for everyone to freshen up, rest, and recover. You are all given time to relax a bit before your meeting with Vespid, who does not come out of her cabin until the Bantu Wind is under sail and speeding north along the coastline and through the Hellmouth Gulf.
Myra, since there's going to be plenty of downtime for you to retrain, this is the perfect opportunity.
Eris Triguna |
Eris doesn't seem surprised that Vespid is near, and boards the barge. Eris spends most of the trip seeing if she can expand any of her magical abilities, before taking a relaxing hot bath, and then going back to practising her form shifting.
DM Stalwart |
As the sun sets low on the first full day at sea, the assassins are informed that they are invited to have their evening meal with Vespid. The food is excellent; a hearty stew in a broth spiced with exotic flavors that brought a heat to the tongue and clarity to the mind. A chilled wine of the fermented juices of a tropical fruit balances the spicy food nicely.
Vespid is there, making small talk, explaining that Kiddrick and the Red Minister were unable to make it to the Chelish coastline to be picked up, but they currently lived, as best as she knew. Although evasive about the details of her own past and how she came to join the Red Mantis, she is open and polite about other topics. She has little real news from Mediogalti itself, but from all reports Jakalyn is still the Blood Mistress and all is well with the Vernai.
Arriving upon the topic of the next assassination, Vespid waits for the meal to be over, then begins. "We on occasion must return to a job once thought finished. This is such a task that specialists often take when we learn that someone killed has returned from the dead. I have been asked to take you to Riddleport, where we believe one of our sacred rites has been undone and is now living and breathing once more." She sighs and sits back in her chair.
"We have many days and night before we arrive, so you will be able to spend whatever time you like aboard practicing, training, and making other preparations. Riddleport is a seedy pirate town with rival gangs, ancient ruins, and scholars and adventurers all vying for influence. One of other teams of assassins finished a contract about four months ago. Our sources now say that the target is back amongst the living. And as you know, that cannot stand."
She crosses her legs and laces her fingers before her. "You're to infiltrate the town, and track down this one who would dare return to this realm. I will get you all the information we have on who the contract was before his death, but exactly how he has returned is not known to us. That will be your job, and to see to it that he is restored to his 'proper state,'" she grins wickedly.
"Do you have any questions before I tell you of who your target used to be?"
Eris Triguna |
"Just two questions, here, firstly, how was he eliminated initially, the target would be expecting the same trick twice, and I'd prefer to catch the target off guard, secondly, is there any precautions we could take to prevent the target evades our sacred rites for the second time?"
Sa'Kage |
Kage had spent much of the trip brooding, troubled by the undead horror they'd fought, and nursing thoughts of exactly what he might do to Ricer if he ever encountered him again. On reflection he thought this a curious reaction and in stark contrast to the ebullient mood he'd enjoyed after they'd pulled a fast one on the hellknights.
As was often the case he found his mood changed with the tide. Feeling the need for company he sought out his fellow mantises and he could feel the low murmur of anticipation as everyone idly speculated on what target Vespid would give them next. News of the resurrection came as a shock and Kage felt a wave of indignation, this was a direct insult to the guild. "She's right", spat Kage in a cold fury, "this insult can not be allowed to stand! We must make a particular example of this walking corpse, perhaps it's time to use one of the special restricted rites, to ensure there's no return?"
Kage is more or less asking how to prevent a further resurrection.
DM Stalwart |
Vespid smiles bemusedly at Kage's righteous anger. "It happens. So we kill them again. So few of our contracts have the resources to come back, it's hardly worth the bother."
She looks at Eris and gestures casually with one hand. "I'm under the impression it was the traditional method of a knife in the dark. Your contact in Riddleport will know more of the specifics, since she had a first-hand account of it.
"The target was a man known as Two-Bolt, but his real name was Gyr Vestmark. Human, middle-aged, and was one of the ever-changing crime bosses there in Riddleport. At least until we removed him from his position."
Vespid shifts slightly, and takes on an air of concern. Her brow furrows slightly as she leans forward. "Before you ask, yes, it's odd that a petty crime boss from a frontier backwater would come back somehow. And that's the other strangeness. We don't know how he came back. Raised from the dead, reincarnated (I hate those), or his spirit has managed to come back as undead. We don't know."
She folds her hands back in front of her. "We're making for Riddleport at best possible speed. You'll be dropped off, where you will begin your investigation. I suggest you start by contacting Shorafa Pamodae at the House of the Silken Veil. She's the high Calistrian priestess there, and a major player in Riddleport politics herself. Just... don't mention me," she adds, face tight.
Eris Triguna |
"Oh good, Shorafa sounds like someone after my own heart" Eris responds, quietly looking forward to meeting with someone just as skilled in trickery and manipulation as herself, or perhaps even more so.
"I presume there is an excellent reason why we shouldn't mention you?" Eris casually asks, only half interested in the answer, merely looking to ply Vespid for as much information as she can get.
Yamyra Demir |
Yamyra listens to the briefing distractedly. Lately she'd been thinking she'd gone about things all wrong. Trying to wrestle larger opponents was never going to work as well as taking advantage of her speed and flexibility. She'd procured a rapier before boarding, and had been practicing with it at every free moment along with reading a fencing treatise by a Brevic master from the 12th century AR. The results were pleasing, but the theory was complex and pieces of it were swimming about constantly in her head. It's okay Myra, practice makes perfect. And you're already good. By the time we get to Riddleport, you'll be mantis deadly.
Ghiv Masdara |
Ghiv, never one to be in a "good" mood, was even fouler on the trip back.
The news of a holy rite being returned to life though was enough to focus his anger. I agree Brother. he says to Sa'Kage He should be slain brutally and in view of as many as possible. We cannot allow any to think we are weak. Or that our resolve is lacking.
Eris Triguna |
Eris doesn't seem surprised as Vespid doesn't elaborate, but simply smiles. "Its fine, I can always ask Shorafa about the lovely relationship you two have"
Eris Triguna |
Lol, Eris considers it a failed day if she doesn't get under someone's skin =]
"Who said anything about mentioning you?" Eris teases, briefly attempting to mimic Vespid's form with her change shape ability before switching back. Seeing however, that she was perhaps needling Vespid a little tooo much Eris flashes a quick smile "I'm kidding, of course, your secrets are your own just like my secrets are for my own viewing, I promise that I, Eris, will not pry into your affairs while at the House of Silken Veil"
DM Stalwart |
Vespid makes a smile with no mirth to it. "Have a care that you do not grow so impressed with your own abilities that you lose the sense of proper respect."
Softening, she looks at Ghiv. "Kill him however you choose. Publicly or quietly. It matters not. You worry far too much about appearances, Masdara. Furthermore, I'm not sure if Two-Bolt is being open about his resurrection. Our oracles have sensed his return to the mortal coil, and that is enough for us to send a team to investigate."
Eris Triguna |
That was a good reprimand, because that was exactly the reminder that Eris needed because well, that was exactly what was happening.
Eris accepts the rebuke with a nod of her head and immediately goes silent, switching off from taking an active part of the conversation and listening carefully.
Sa'Kage |
Wanting to change the subject back to safer grounds, Kage speaks up, "Is there anything more you can tell us about this Scarnazi?" The scorn dripping from that last word can't have gone without note. It's not that Kage underestimates them, rather he regards them as a bunch of rutting animals with no style or self control. The vast sums laundered through Riddle port could make them a force to be reckoned with on the world stage, but what do they do with it? Fritter it away on this and that, and the occasional pogrom.
DM Stalwart |
Vespid taps her chin in thought for a moment. "Not much more, except that the Mantis that killed him took a memento from Two-Bolt's corpse. Apparently the target had survived an earlier assassination attempt -- that of two point-blank crossbow bolts to the chest. He later had them enchanted into bolts of slaying. The Red Mantis claimed one of them, and turned it over to me after the revelation that Two-Bolt lives again." She sets a heavy crossbow bolt upon the table, unremarkable except that it appears rugged and worn.
Sa'Kage |
Unless she'd holding out on us, I doubt we'll learn anything more here. I think we should depart.
DM Stalwart |
Understood. You've got a long sea voyage, so if you think of something later, you can ask.
The Bantu Wind sails swiftly north to the Lost Coast, but the voyage still takes weeks with a brief stop in Magnimar to resupply.
Riddleport sits in a well-sheltered cove on the northern coast of Varisia. You arrive on a chilly, fog-shrouded morning. The famed arch that spans the whole harbor -- the relic of some ancient civilization-- looms through the hazy weather. You are just able to make out the strange symbols that draw scholars and ciphers to this otherwise seedy den of pirates and smugglers.
Your vessel drifts through the harbor and eventually docks. The ship's captain negotiates with the harbormaster over the exorbitant fees as you get ready to disembark, likely grateful that the long voyage is finally at an end.
A handful of coppers hires a barefooted wharf whelp to lead you through the damp, early-morning streets to the House of the Silken Veil. The large cathedral to Calistria shows signs of age, but the curtains draped across the entrance are clean and fresh. Exotic perfumes drift into the nearby street, enticing passers-by to indulge their passions within, even at this early hour.
How do you arrive? In a group, incognito, or in some other fashion?
Eris Triguna |
"Ideally, it would be best for us to show up to this meeting NOT looking obviously like a hit squad", Eris remarks dryly, looking at a mirror and idly form shifting until she arrives at one she likes.
"When we actually get inside though, be careful with your words, Calistrian's are easy to offend and have long memories, so I'd prefer to avoid being rude to them"
Eris casually adjusts her clothing to something a Calistrian might approve of, before using Prestidigitation to shift her clothes coloring to yellow, just before entering the Veil (on the assumption that she prolly wouldn't have anything yellow to wear!).
Sa'Kage |
As the voyage continues, Kage's mind focuses on the task ahead. He asks for a map of Riddle Port to be provided, with the location of the Silken Veil noted along with any locations associated with Two-Bolt.
At one evening meal, Kage suggests, "I hope we can slip into Riddle Port unnoticed. Unless Two-Bolt is entirely stupid, he will be on the look out for the likes of us. I don't particularly like going in small groups somewhere so lawless, but together we will be noticed and likely marked as threat to the gangs. Normally that wouldn't bother me, but it ought to spook our target."
He falls silent for a moment before adding, "Considering my uh distinctive, appearance it may be best if I act as Eris's shadow again. For the most part I'll keep to the shadows, hopping from roof to roof, but if somebody thinks to threaten you well they'll get a very nasty surprise."
Work as two teams again? That seemed to work well vs the Hellknights.
Eris Triguna |
"Two teams then," Eris responds, as she agrees with the recommendation of Sa'Kage. "I'd love it if Mama came with me, assuming she was willing, as I'm sure that her skills would remain useful in meeting with them. Besides, its not like a whip is anything uncommon in such a location."
Sa'Kage |
Kage replies, "I suspect there will be much to do, but until one of us meets this Shorafa, we will be lacking any intelligence. We need to know the lay of the land, collect rumors, find out which gangs have grudges against Two-Bolt, and which ones he can trust. Maybe we need to infiltrate one of them. Your particular talents ought to come into their own in this town."
Ghiv Masdara |
Ghiv inclines his head at Yamyra Sister. he says, gesturing for her to lead the way. Perhaps we speak with these "gangs" Sa'Kage speaks of
Sa'Kage |
Kage goes with Eris. Initially he keeps to the shadows and does his best to keep alert without being too obvious.
Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Hopefully the rest of you can figure out something to do. I reckon it's all wide open right now, being creative will hopefully make this interesting. Would be great if some of you can have a go at finding out what's going on in town in general and hopefully a plan will suggest itself :)
Ghiv Masdara |
Ghiv disguises himself as a fat merchant from Absalom.
Disguise with Disguise Self Spell: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27
Sister, will you be my companion this evening. We will see what occurs in this filthy place.
Ghiv takes 100GP and attempts to gather information regarding the town and its players Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 I'll probably need an aid another
Mama Bess |
Mama nods at Eris' suggestion. "I'll come along"
Apologies. Work has been way more intense, and this is such a strategic game I've been having a tough time finding the headspace to do it justice, but wanted to at least check in.
DM Stalwart |
Yamyra's diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 Looks like it doesn't matter who aids whom.
Your disguise is met with odd looks, and quite a few blank stares regarding the existence of Absalom. The coin though, is most appreciated although you may feel marked as someone with more money than sense.
You learn that it is generally accepted that Gaston Cromarchy rules Riddleport, mainly because he employs the gendarmes who enforce civil order. Well, "enforce" may be too strong a word for what they do, which is show up after a disturbance and arrest whoever doesn't have the ability to limp away.
The other leaders of the various groups are Elias Tammerhawk, who leads the Cypher Mages; Avery Slyeg, who runs various shipping operations; Clegg Zincher, who runs the local fighting arena; and Shorafa Pamodae, the high priestess of the Calistrian temple. There's plenty of others, including the dwarf leader of the Gassworks -- the foundry that uses underground gasses to fuel flames hot enough to smelt skymetals.
Sa'Kage |
Kage idly wonders exactly what he was getting himself into by entering here. While he was not a stranger to the pleasures of the flesh, the Calistrians always took things that little bit further...
Eris Triguna |
Eris considers the question slightly before answering "I believe I'm looking for information of a sort, and I understand Priestess Shorafa might be able to assist me...would it be possible for a private session?"
DM Stalwart |
The ebon-skinned man moves a step forward, a heat forming in his eyes. "High Priestess Shorafa is a very busy woman, and her counsel is not cheap. If you could demonstrate why it would be worth her time, I will pass along your request." A hungry smile touches his lips as he looks Eris up and down. "Are you sure you do not have any... other desires that I can fulfill?"
While this is happening, a temple prostitute that clearly has elf blood in her ancestry spies Kage trying to look inconspicuous. She flutters over to him with a bright smile and batted eyes. "Do not be so bashful, my dear," she says as she caresses his cheek with a smooth, lacquered nail. She leans in close and whispers, "what sort of passions can I help unlock within you?"
Bess, too, is approached by a young man once she enters the temple. He bows low and extends his hand to her. "Welcome to the House of the Silken Veil. How may I be of service?"
Eris Triguna |
Eris smiles diplomatically "I'm confident her counsel is not cheap, but I on the other hand, remain convinced I could meet the price of admission as it were".
As the man looks Eris up and down, she tilts her head slightly, doing the same to him. "As for the some of the desires you mentioned, I currently have a strong desire to remove the roadblock standing in my way. As for specific carnal desires well...why do you think I'm asking for a priestess and not a priest?"
DM Stalwart |
The man's smile cools slightly, but knowingly, as if such a statement has been used before -- and not always successfully. He places his hands on his hips, which have the effect of enhancing his pectoral muscles. "She is going through her morning obediences. I will inform you of her request when she is free. Do you wish me to summon another priestess to entertain you while you wait?"