"Thanks Elias..."
Kalem had shied from religious faith ever since the debacle with Church of Asmodeus, but perhaps it was time to move on.
"If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to to hear more about Calistria tonight, over drinks."
The corner of Elias' mouth quirks up in a faint smile, "That is one thing the Lady does well. Talking over drinks. Tonight then."
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Zhea sighs as she looks at Femi. "If this was anything else, I'd take coin, but we can handle our own dead. It's about time I stepped up and did some good work around here." She hangs her head a little and walks off.
As the party returns to the Wasp's Nest for some well deserved rest, they are unaware of the reputation they've already started to build for themselves. From Red Roof to the Nursery is talk of an unlikely band of heroes taking up the mantle of justice, an idea long lost in Kintargo as far as the locals were concerned. In the shacks of the Nursery people prayed for their continued intervention, and travelers of Red Roof learned that they were the cause of the recent decline in criminal activity.
However the Ravens spend their night, the next morning, Laria visits them all abuzz!
"I rounded up a good number of followers on my own, but I dare say actions speak louder than words! There's word all around the city about the work you've been up to. Not everyone seems excited about it, but I've heard more than one say they're glad you're here!" With a big smile she produces a fine box with a letter on it.
"To the Guardians of Kintargo,
We appreciate what you're doing for the city. We aren't able to help as much as we'd like, stuck such as we are caring for the poor and downtrodden, but we pitched in to send you this gift. We hope it aids you in the fight.
Sincerely,
The People"
Inside the box is a potion labeled invisibility and 16 gold. Laria smiles again. "I don't know who dropped this off, but it certainly seems people are watching you."
The Tengu sisters arrive later that morning with their weeks collection of 14 gold. "Let us know if you have anything else for us to do." Says the eldest before settling in to play a game o cards with her sisters.
Rexus, pacing the Wasp's Nest looks to the group once the funds and gifts have been handed out. "What's next Ravens? We've got a reputation, but I'm not quite sure we're well enough known just yet."
Femi is overwhelmed by the largess. ”Here we are, still wet behind the ears, and folks are sending us gold and magics!” he holds the potion up to the light and admires it. He passes it around, ”Who wants it? Could be very useful in a pinch. Don't forget we also have an amulet of natural armor and these masterwork spiked gauntlets.”
He thanks the Fushi Sisters for their work, ”Well done, thank you. This will keep us going thanks!”
Finally he turns to the others and shrugs, ”So many things we could do next. I suggest we keep the sisters at their task. We’ve a little currency in the coffers but not, you know, a lot. If we’re to continue to grow, I think we need to get ahead of ourselves financially. Money will grease a lot of palms if we need it to.”
”Which is the other thing we should do. It’s great that our reputation precedes us, but let’s all spend some time this week actively pushing our agenda.” he grows a little nervous, ”To the right listeners of course. Let’s not try to convince the guard just yet. Focus on the angry ones.”
He sips a little morning tea and considers, ”Do you think we need another team?” sip. ”I think we need another team.”
”Let’s get some folks off the streets. We’re going to need a steady source of information. We’ve got no eyes!” he laughs, looking around their basement lair. ”What can we see from here?” he grins. ”Let’s get ourselves some performers, mimes and the like… well maybe not mimes. Folks who can wander the streets at will, learning things, and maybe spreading a few stories of our own.”
He downs the rest of his tea. ”What do you lot think?”
Mykhail silently nods along with Femi as he speaks, the events of the last few days still not sitting well with him but he knew there wasn't much they could do just yet, as Femi said they needed information.
"I agree, having more eyes around couldn't hurt. Perhaps we will be able to prevent further tragedies of the likes we've just witnessed from taking place again. And for that gold is needed so having the sisters keep on their task is very wise. And money could never hurt our cause."Mykhail hums thoughtfully then turns to Rexus "Any luck with the information yet? I wonder if we can find out more about that bizarre ritual that took place recently with the Tieflings."
Kalem is up, sipping his morning drink. He had a long night discussing with Elias the tenants his lady, and he was still mulling over the details. Still, the current discussion was important.
"I agree, we should get some information sources before things get out of hand. But I think we should also prepare other skilled teams should we need there skills. Eventually, of course. Just in case our current base becomes breached or even worse, one of us or our benefactors becomes detained."
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After some brief discussion, the Ravens give their orders to the Fushi Sisters, who immediately head out to various areas of the city to collect coin. Laria discusses a few new ideas for recruiting supporters and sends a few trusted aids out to bolster the Raven's reputation. Rexus offers to canvas for a few eyes on the street when he's not pouring over the old documents you found beneath the stable.
"Speaking of, I have deciphered a little of that information, though nothing particularly helpful as of yet. It seems the Silver Ravens were established in 4606 ar, in the wake of the chaos that swept over Cheliax after Aroden’s death to help protect the city of Kintargo from oppression. We've not seen the death of any gods, but we fight for a similar goal."
He pauses to consider the information before leaving the party to their plans.
"While I'd like to pursue the Devil's Nursery issue, the immediate danger has subsided for now. If any of you believe there are more pressing concerns, I wouldn't be opposed."
"Well, we do have a few maintenance issues to cover, but that won't take more than a morning's legwork, at most!"
"We have some things (link) to sell if no one wants them. A spiked gauntlet, masterwork, an amulet of natural amor of the weakest sort, but still - natural armor." he looks at the front liners.
"We've also this potion of invisibility. If no one wants it, I'll carry it for whatever use presents itself."
"Now on the flip side, we need to get that wand of silent images we talked about, and I suggest we, as a group, donate 100gp to the rebellion to cover some costs there. I don't think we'll have to donate much over time, just a little seed money to get us going I think." I hope!
"Once that is all sorted out, I can give us all some of the cash we've scraped together. Won't be much, but we'll at least be able to buy our own drinks."
"Then onto the Devil's Nursery I think. Let's see if we can find out who owns that warehouse. Might be unconnected, but it's the only lead I can think of off hand."
"I could use the amulet, but I think that I need something that improves my aim moreso than foiling others." Brask spoke. "On the other hand, I can help contribute money. Well, once I've paid back Kalem, that is."
"Yes, I'd really like to get down to business on The Devil's Nursery. There has to be something we missed, perhaps we can even try to find a way to link this to Barzillai. I'd also like to take some time to craft some special ammunition that could come in handy on our journey. You have my gold for the wand as well."
"I concur with moving on the Nursery, and on paying for the wand. I'm going to save the rest of my share of the cash to replace the healing wand when it eventually runs out. I'll look into finding someone who can offer a regular supply."
Femi looks at Kalem. "Do you want the amulet? Otherwise I think Brask should wear it maybe."
He turns to Elias, "Oh, we should have funds enough when that wand runs out. Er. I hope. Are we close?" he worries.
He'll spend the morning selling off the few items to be sold, and arranging the purchase of the wand of Silent Images. "Who's carrying this one?" he looks to the others, not really wanting to be the one to handle it - but he will if that's the best choice.
He doles out a few thin pouches. "This is what we have left after the 100gp to the rebellion."
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As the party divvies up their latest spoils, they discuss plans to return to the Devil's Nursery. Upon arrival they receive a significantly more warm welcome than they are used to.
The tieflings are still cautious of course, but more than one give the party a thankful nod, or a grateful smile as they shuffle passed.
"Maybe we find who has been around that warehouse, other than us?" Brask offers.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Femi suggests, "Maybe our better searchers should really tear the place apart."
"While they're doing that, maybe a second team can follow up on Brask's question of who's been hanging about the place of late. There's a lot we can learn there I think, particularly if the people involved were not tiefling."
"I also want to know who owns this warehouse, see if there's a connection that way. Probably not, but you never know - we might get lucky. Might also make a connection we can use later - this could be a safe house for us in a jam, or at least a place to hide some gear."
Kalem is pleased the they are continuing off from yesterday. The sooner the killer is caught, the better.
"Lets go Zhea again. I think she's the best thing to a guide we know of."
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As the party wanders the Devil's Nursery, Femi takes the lead a begins searching for any angle he can cover. A quick trip to the warehouse doesn't reveal anything more unfortunately. The teeth are still embedded in the walls, but there are a few squatters living in it now, having heard the building was safe again.
"I never knew the murderers was here! I swear it! Just heard some weird noises 'round the building, was never brave enough to investigate." A couple other homeless nod their heads in agreement. The faded sign is no better help then it was last time you were here, but a couple of the more knowledgeable locals do point you toward a records office that keeps information on various holdings and plots of land throughout the city.
A few of the locals even come to you with bits of information they've heard, most of it is useless, or doesn't much pertain to your mission, but one thing was repeated pretty frequently.
"Somethin' is going on at the Salt Works. Last I heard they got some prisoners there, maybe the dottari got their jails too full up to keep all the prisoners!"
Zhea finds you easily enough, the party being back in the Nursery so soon is the talk of the town and she hails you from outside a local tavern near edge of the district.
"I wish I could help you guys, but we only found the boy yesterday. I haven't really had much time to follow any leads." She shrugs apologetically. "I'll promise though, I'll help however I can." She lingers awhile, making small talk and waiting to see if you have anything to request from her.
"I guess our next destination is the Salt Works. If they're not the culprits, perhaps they know who is..."
Kalem can't think of anything to ask Zhea, but he is glad to touch base with her. Try as he might, he missed spending time with his own kin.
Brask nods in agreement.
"Salt works... Good idea."he says, rubbing at his recovered and recently healed tusk. "Say... Anyone got a plan if there are moreah those tooth pixies around?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Elias glances at Brask and nods, "Yes. Clamp your hands over your mouths and wait for me to burn them down with channeled energy. Unless we have access to powers that can injure the lot of them, all at once, I see little other recourse."
"need to wear the damned helmet." brask reminds himself. "okay, thanks Elias."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Mykhail spent that morning crafting special cartridges for Iustitia with the hope that if they were to get themselves into another tight situation he would be of more help. He joined the others soon after and they made their way back to the Devil's Nursery to look more into the killings taking place but unfortunately didn't come back with any definitive answers except that they now had to go look into the Salt Works.
He smiles at Zhea "Do not fret, you have been most helpful to us while we undergo this investigation. Just keep your eyes peeled and stay safe and we will figure everything out."
He turns to the party. "I know where the Salt Works is, if we are heading over there I will tell you all I know."
"Sounds good." Femi agrees, though he worries a little. What if they're legitimate prisoners? Actually bad people?
He figures they'll just have to find out. He strides with his staff along with the others.
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"The Salt Works? You looking to break those folks out?" Says Zhea, as her eyes go wide. "I don't know if it's true at all, but they say an old rogue named Forvian Crow is one of the men being held there. I don't know much about him, but I do know he's no fan of the Thrunes. I'm not surprised they're forcing him to work in that hell hole."
She looks over the party again and shakes her head. "I don't know if you're crazy or stronger than you look, but I'm glad you're here." She smiles, lingering a bit on Kalem "Having a tiefling among you might be good for our kind too. People need to see that we aren't all bad."
It's a little after mid-day by the time you complete all your exploration and information gathering to this point. Are you headed to the Salt Works now?
"Let's go now, at least to check it out, and see exactly what they're up to over there. Might be nothing good, but it might be just normal law and order - right?"
"Onward then."
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It takes about an hour to get to the Salt Works on the south western side of the city, along the coast just passed the Salt Gate. You cross through the Salt Market on your way, where artisans of various sorts purchase and sell Kintargo's major export. Alchemists, builders and masons all rub shoulders along the Old Docks, trying to get what they need as the market begins to close.
Towering over the salt market is the old Salt Works building. Square and simple, with a large salt dome jutting from one end, this building is one of the most lucrative in the city, but also the site of the most back breaking work.
As you near the building, you see a number of Chelish Citizen's patrolling the area, weapons in hand. The locals don't dare get within a few yards of the building, often taking pains to avoid the gaze of it's guards.
From what you can tell, there are at least three armed guards patrolling the grounds.
Brask will glance at the arrangement.
"Okay, there's three guards and I think there's a dwarf in the building as heavily armored as I am." he observes.
"what's the plan?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Largely oblivious, Femi follows along with the others past the building. He tries to get a good look in the windows, but the guards keep getting in the way and he doesn’t want to be obvious, so he looks away.
When they’re well past the building he speaks up, ”Three guards we can see - probably more inside. Tough nut to crack I think. Do we know who they have inside? Are they political prisoners or true thieves - or worse!”
”I’m all for striking a blow against the state, just don’t want our triumph sullied by a deeper problem.”
”That said, I suggest we throw up an illusion here. We do a simple illusion of an empty street. Might give us some cover to rush the building and might provide a little cover from passers by who might be over curious. It’s just a wand charge in any event, so it’s worth a try.”
"In case that door is locked, can anyone jimmy it or do we need to knock it down?"
Mykhail tells them what little he knows about the Salt mines, how they produce rock and table salt for Kintargo, and about the change in management and about the rumors of men being armed patrolling the perimeters.
"Forvian Crow you say? Well, if he's got it out for Thrune then we will see what we can do about helping them escape."
They all head to the Salt Works and sure enough Brask alerts them to an armed patrol.
"A diversion is just what we need, give it a shot." Mykhail said making sure that his gun was out and at the ready.
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As the image of an empty street forms around the front door of the building, no one seems to notice, it was, after all, clear of people to begin with, and most merchants are too preoccupied selling their goods to see the minor magical manifestation from Femi's wand.
Piling into the area of the illusion the guards continue to patrol but make no note of the party, who find that the front door is, as luck would have it, unlocked.
As the door is thrown open, the interior of the salt works is revealed, as is one more guard and the armored dwarf Brask mentioned seeing earlier. The two humanoids look up and see nothing but an empty door frame in front of them.
"What the hell?" Says the dwarf as he reaches for his mace.
Mykhail
Femi
Elias
Guards
Brask
Kalem
Dwarf
Round: Surprise
Weapon Equipped = Staff
Crossbow Bolts = 10/10
Conditions = None
Melee: Attack: BAB +1, Str +0 Damage: +0
Ranged: Attack: BAB +1, Dex +1 Damage: +0
toppling spell: base 6 (Caster Level 2 + 4 Int)
Arcane Reservoir (su): 4/5 (+1 DC or caster level as free action)
Spells (Caster Level 2, Concentration +6)
Special: (7/7) Force Missile*
Zero (14) (3/3) Dancing Lights
Zero (14): (4) Acid Splash, Daze, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Spark
First (15): (4/4) Infernal Healing, Mage Armor, Magic Missile (w/Topple Feat)*
* +1 Caster Level, +1 damage
Femi continues to concentrate on the illusion, hoping the party will move inside.
Brask surges forward swinging with his scimitar and trying to keep the Dwarf on the defensive. His strike is swift and powerful.
Hoping to gain some more maneuvering room within the building, Elias casts Murderous Command on the dwarf, before moving up beside him and drawing his longsword.
Kalem actives brawlers flexibility and gets improved grapple. He then rushes to the lone guard on the outside of the building.
Surprise & Round 1
Weapon Equipped = Pistol
Bullets (including Blackpowder doses) = 25/30
Alc. Cartridges. 10/10
Conditions = None
Melee: Attack: BAB +1, Str +1 Damage: +0
Ranged: Attack: BAB +1, Dex +3 Damage: +0
Mykhail moves into the room eyeing the two occupants who were obviously surprised to see them appearing out of thin air, illusions were awesome. Mykhail makes sure he is out of range of the targets and takes a shot.
Round: 1
Weapon Equipped = Staff
Crossbow Bolts = 10/10
Conditions = None
Melee: Attack: BAB +1, Str +0 Damage: +0
Ranged: Attack: BAB +1, Dex +1 Damage: +0
toppling spell: base 6 (Caster Level 2 + 4 Int)
Arcane Reservoir (su): 4/5 (+1 DC or caster level as free action)
Spells (Caster Level 2, Concentration +6)
Special: (7/7) Force Missile*
Zero (14) (3/3) Dancing Lights
Zero (14): (4) Acid Splash, Daze, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Spark
First (15): (4/4) Infernal Healing, Mage Armor, Magic Missile (w/Topple Feat)*
* +1 Caster Level, +1 damage
Femi hesitates, unsure what to do. One the one hand keeping things hidden was a good plan. On the other, he needed to get into the fight.
In the end, Femi continues to concentrate on the illusion to keep up the confusion.
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The dwarves eyes go wide as a bunch of armed men spring from what seems to be thin air. It's not until Brask barrels into him and cuts him with a blade that he sees through the illusion. He shrugs of Elias' spell and turns his head slightly to the guard behind him.
"Get the others!"
Just moments later he roars in pain as the lead bullet from Mykhail's gun pierces his armored side and draws more blood. "GET! IN! HERE!" He bellows as Femi maintains the illusion and Kalem uses it's cover to prepare for the fight ahead.
Pink retreats to the back room, closing the door behind him as he follows orders.
Blue and Red alerted by the dwarf screaming and Mykhail's gun shot run toward the front entrance of the building, almost running through the illusion before realizing they'd been tricked. Seeing their enemies revealed they attempt to attack, however both miss as the guards attempt to adjust.
Orange rounds the corner, he hears the sounds of combat but can't quite make it into the building just yet and does not see through the illusion.
Brask
Kalem
Dwarf - 19 dmg
Mykhail
Femi
Elias
Guards
Brask keeps up the assault, swinging rapidly at the dwarf and trying to take him down before he can give any more directions to his minions.
Kalem goes for the grapple on the nearest enemy.
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Brask presses his luck but finds it fleeting. Kalem successfully grabs onto Blue.
The armored dwarf pulls back with his mace and attempts to return Brasks previous blow. His mace leaves a sizeable dent in the side of the half orcs armor and the dwarf laughs as he takes a step back.
"It'll take more than that to kill Kossrani!"
Mykhail
Femi
Elias
Guards
~Blue - Grappled
Brask - 8 damage
Kalem - Grappled
Dwarf - 19 dmg
Round: 2
Weapon Equipped = Staff
Crossbow Bolts = 10/10
Conditions = None
Melee: Attack: BAB +1, Str +0 Damage: +0
Ranged: Attack: BAB +1, Dex +1 Damage: +0
toppling spell: base 7 (Caster Level 3 + 4 Int)
Arcane Reservoir (su): 3/5 (+1 DC or caster level as free action)
Spells (Caster Level 2, Concentration +6)
Special: (7/7) Force Missile*
Zero (14) (3/3) Dancing Lights
Zero (14): (4) Acid Splash, Daze, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Spark
First (15): (3/4) Infernal Healing, Mage Armor, Magic Missile (w/Topple Feat)*
* +1 Caster Level, +1 damage
Femi drops the ruse having held it perhaps too long. He steps away from the thugs (5’ step), and tries to trip up purple before he gets smushed. He casts Magic Missile with Toppling Spell boosting it with his Arcane Reservoir to caster level four.
Round 2
Weapon Equipped = Pistol
Bullets (including Blackpowder doses) = 25/30
Alc. Cartridges. 10/10
Conditions = None
Melee: Attack: BAB +1, Str +1 Damage: +0
Ranged: Attack: BAB +1, Dex +3 Damage: +0
Mykhail knew he wasn't the subtlest of fighters being his weapon was so loud he moves to provide Kalem some Backup seeing as more men were coming to the fray. He reloads Iustitia so that he may take a shot at the new thug.
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Mykhail reloads his gun and moves to give Kalem some backup. Femi drops the illusion, and also knocks purple to the ground with a magical onslaught. Elias steps toward the dwarf and attacks but his sword does not pierce his armor.
Blue attacks and scores a hit with his light mace on the Tiefling's side.
Purple stands up from the ground and runs, as Orange steps behind the brawler and flanks with blue but misses his attack.
Brask - 8 damage
Kalem - Grappled 5 Damage
Dwarf - 19 dmg
Mykhail
Femi
Elias
Guards
~Blue - Grappled
~Purple - 8 damage
"Could use some help!"
Kalem attempts to hold the current grapple and start beating in his opponents face.
Brask continues fighting, spitting and raging at the dwarf.
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Kalem damages blue as he maintains the grapple. Kossani takes the hit from Brask and looks dangerously close to defeat, but he retaliates with his mace, or tries to, his foe is too heavily armored to feel the blow.
Mykhail
Femi
Elias
Guards
~Blue - Grappled 6dmg
~Purple - 8 damage
Brask - 8 damage
Kalem - Grappled 5 Damage
Dwarf - 29 dmg