Nevi assists using his random bits of knowledge! He takes a little black powder from his gunsmithing kit and lays it across the rusted bolts, pulling his hat down over his eyes as he lights a little flame to spark it and cause a focused blast against the rusted metal. He then goes to work attempting to break the old metal away and free the eye so Jade can access the intricate wires underneath.
Nevi is too busy feeling important and useful as he pours a little too much black powder on to the bolts. Being the forgetful type, he wasn’t exactly sure how much black powder his teacher used when he removed rusted components, and decided “a blunderbuss worth” should be good enough. The following explosion was much bigger than expected and knocks Nevi back on to the floor, knocking him senseless for a second as a single trail of smoke streams off of the brim of his hat. ”Ughhhh…..”
A loud bang resounds throughout the dining room, and small portion of the table catches fire. Val quickly runs over and smothers the flames with the table cloth. She sighs and shakes her head, but has a small smile on her face, this is not the first, or last fire she has had to put out.
The eye stock has come loose, but also appears to be missing completely. Looking around quickly, you notice it hanging from the chandelier above the dining room table, still smoking from the explosion.
Coughing from the smoke, Jade said, "*cough* Well, that *cough* certainly worked. *cough* But mayhap Nevi *cough* you used just used a slight overabundance of that powder. *cough* *cough* Next time, could I request you utilize a margin less?"
The Half-Orc rubbed the soot from his face with one hand. Note to self - mechanical lungs and filters. "Or maybe we could use something else to loosen the rust next time? Lubricants and acidic cleaning solution usually works, and has a much lower explosion chance." Uthan glanced over at the eye stalk hanging above them, trying to see if it was badly damaged by the blast.
Nevi gave out a cough, exhaling a lung full of smoke as he looked up to the concerned party, "Hey, anybody could have done that, why are you all looking at me!" his natural forgetfulness combined with a small concussion leaving him deprived of any memory of the incident.
Nevi gets up and dusts himself off as he casually walks over to the eye stalk hanging from the ceiling, grabbing it and waving it around, "Hah! Did I kill this thing?!" he glances around at the debris from the minor explosion, "Looks like my handiwork!" he boldly stated, thinking he was a hero rather than the clumsy concussed explosion freak.
"Yes," Uthan replied, resisting the urge to add to Nevi's concussion with a mechanically enhanced clip round the ear, "You certainly caused the explosion." Shaking his head slowly, he mentally added, And you can answer to Val for it.
Sighing at his now soot covered clothes, Uthan gripped the machine and hauled it up, clockwork clicking and grinding as the enhanced arms struggled with the weight. "We'll chain this up in the forge, then I suggest a quick change of clothes before we go to see the Councilwoman. Jade, care to give me a hand with this?"
Turning to Uthan, she responded, "Certainly I can and will assist you with the Drone's incarceration my friend."
You secure the drones body to the forge and clean up your appearance before heading to town hall. The depressing atmosphere that you experienced when first coming into town feels lessened here, almost as if the presence of the town leaders is suppressing it slightly.
As you walk into town hall, a stern but not unattractive female clerk with a board in one hand approaches you. "Good Morning, how may I help you?"
Amisi gives a friendly little wave and smile at the woman. "Hi, we were told that Councilwoman Freddert would like to speak to the lot of us."
Nevi follows the party and smiles at the clerk when they arrive, letting the others do the talking as he starts to pat his body down and make sure he has everything.
The clerk smiles slightly and nods, "You must be Khonnir's salvage team, I was told to expect you. Please come this way..."
She leads you deeper into city hall, you pass by several offices as well as another clerk desk with a dozen people lined up. The citizens lined up stare at you with both wonder and criticism. "Their petitioners seeking information on the torch, a number of people are currently out of a job with it being out, which is why City Hall has put such a priority on investigating it."
She finally leads you to a large wooden door, she knocks twice and opens it. "Madam Councillor, I've brought the team of salvagers you wanted to see.'
An old and rather severe looking female dwarf nods to the clerk and sits up from her desk, "Thank you Miriam, that will be all!" The Clerk nods and closes the door. The Councillor walks to the other side of the desk and stands in front of you. "If you don't already know, I am Dolga Freddart, I serve on the Town Council along with your benefactor, Khonnir. I'm a no nonsense person so I will get right to the point... I want to hire you to investigate the torch and rescue your benefactor Khonnir and his team. After the torch went out, a scout team found humanoid footprints leading into Weeping Pond to the north of the town. Khonnir and a small team went in to investigate and they came back with a metallic contraption, and tales of a large wall made of skymetal, Knonnir wanted to take a closer look, but he went missing on his second trip into the caves. I've sent another team, but they've gone missing as well. So instead of sending more hired thugs, I'm thinking a team of Khonnir's best would get the job done, any questions?" She looks at all of you with a hard look.
"When do we head out?
Amisi clearly seems decided that she will head out to find what's happened to Khonnir and the Torch.
Nevi follows along, the concussion making him a little loopy as he looks back at the citizens and gives them a weird look for their criticizing whispers.
He interrupts the clerk after her introduction, "Oh, not salvagers, we call ourselves diggers uppers." He looks around at the awkward silence. "Sorry, I was in a freak explosion earlier." He embarrassingly pulls his hat over his eyes so he doesn't have to see the team staring at him as the Councillor gives her speech.
"Whoa whoa wait wait, hired thugs got paid, do we at least get some supplies or uh.... um... ammo! Cause you know, this stuff is expensive, and it sounds like it's going to be a dangerous rescue party." He holds out his bag of ammo pellets and shakes it around to emphasize his point.
Jade kept silent as the Councillor spoke, she listened carefully for other clues about the whole situation. Quickly, she searched her memory for anything that might of insight.
"I am sure we would have headed out anyway," Uthan added with ry twist to his mouth. "May I assume standard salvage rights on our part, or do you wish such rights, if we are in your service?"
Dolga smiles to herself for a moment, thinking about something before addressing the group. "A standard reward has been prepared and is currently in trust with the Adventure's Guild here in town." She turns around to her desk and grabs a thick envelope sealed with wax. She steps forward and hands it to Amisi. "Take this to the Adventure's Guild before you leave and register as my representatives on this job. Guildmaster Truthseeker will discuss the risks and rewards of the job with you. If you require anything else, I'd take it up with him."
She turns and walks back over to her chair and sits down, "Oh and mind the Guildmaster, he can be rather surly, but his interests are in the right place"
Amisi will take the envelope and having no more questions right now, she is prepared to leave with the group to head to the Adventure's Guild's office.
Standing next to Uthan, Jade whispered, "I am not entirely comfortable with this arrangement. There is something truly unsettling about this entire endeavor. But that may be, I cannot say."
Uthan nodded slightly to Jade. "Thank you, Councilwoman, we shall go there now." The Half-Orc bowed slightly and moved away.
As soon as they were out of ear shot he murmured, "For now, for the boss, we'll keep going as she asks. I trust your instincts, though. If you think something if fishy we need to keep an eye out."
You leave town hall and make your way to the Adventure's Guild. The guild itself is quite new to the town and was established to help handle the influx of Pathfinders into the country. An old tavern was partially rebuilt and renamed as the "Fool of Taldor", serving not only as the outpost, but as a decent watering hole. The sign outside shows what appears to be a blonde nobleman, passed out and lying on the ground. Your guessing this is what is meant by a fool.
Walking into the the establishment, you notice most of the seats are empty, which is normal for this time of the day. However you see a couple of regulars with mugs in hand, clustered around a rather scruffy, but attractive looking blonde man. You get the impression that he looks just like the fool on the sign. The regulars appear to be hanging on his every word as he recounts some tale...
"...oh you should have seen this girl, Varisian dancer! Had the curves and knew how to use them. But was even better with a knife, so get too close and she would cut off your manhood!" The table erupts into rancour laughter. "But alas, she was in love with this half-dark elf kid..." The blonde man does a fake swoon in embarrassment of the situation and as he does so, he catches eyes with the group of you. He quickly straightens and adopts a business like demeanour.
"Welcome to the Fool of Taldor! How may a help you?"
Uthan nodded, his heavily tattooed face breaking into a small smile at the story. "While sitting and drinking with some tales would be nice, I' afraid we're here on business. Madame Councilwoman Freddart asked that we visit the Adventurer's Guildmaster Truthseeker about a job to get our own master back. Khonnir went missing looking for the source of the torch and why it's turned off. Would you be able to help us with that one?"
"We also need to register as her representatives sir and have this here to verify that."
Amisi holds up the envelope handed to her, but is unsure who exactly she is supposed to hand it over to.
The blonde man takes the envelope from Amisi and breaks the seal, he looks through the contents and his expression turns serious. He turns around to the regulars, "Guild business, get out! Come back in an hour."
He waits until the regulars leave before resuming his smile. "I am Guildmaster Truthseeker, which is quite a mouthful so you may all just refer to me as Vraie. I realise that's the Old Taldan word for Truth, so you should appreciate the word play..." He looks down again at the letter.
He grabs a clip board from behind the bar and writes down a few notes before turning it towards the group. "Temporary membership will entitle you to 20% off equipment purchased here or from any store in town. You are also entitled to a 4000 gold reward for the investigation into the disappearance of the torch and Khonnir Baine. Khonnir is to be brought back dead or alive as we have made arrangements for his resurrection in the event of his death. If you bring him back alive, you are hereby entitled to a bonus equalling to one scroll of resurrection. Any gear or equipment found will also be yours to sell or use provided its not stolen from another adventurer. Sign here"
Nevi steps up first and takes the quill in his left hand, leaning over to sign the document, ”You had me at 20% off.” He elegantly writes his name in large beautiful cursive font and adds a small elven-eared smiley face at the end of his name. ”Here’s to hoping ol’ Khonnie is still standing so we can get that bonus pay.” He jokes as he sets the writing utensil down and wanders off to explore the refurbished tavern.
Vraie smiles at Nevi's enthusiasm, "Would you like a drink, I have some lovely Taldane red wine, or an assortment of Dwarven mushroom stouts?"
Vraie stops for a moment "Oh, almost forgot to mention, Val told me this morning that you guys are welcome to use the Foundry as a base camp during your exploration. I would also like to stress that even though this is a rescue mission, do not rush yourselves, no matter what anyone else tells you. Stay safe out there..."
Jade signed where it was indicated. Afterwards, there came a realization to her mind that made her slightly pale, not that anyone could tell with her slate gray complexion. After everyone signed, she pulled them aside and quietly said, "Despite what Master Vraie has spoken, there is just cause for our hastened departure. Tis coming close to the end of the month, and the League shall soon arrive to collect their 'taxes.' And with the Torch nonfunctional, our people cannot produce the requested payment, which in turn may give the League an opening they have longed for. To take control of Torch."
Though happy with with the money promised, the practical minded Amisi is already trying to come up with a list of things needed for their expedition and begins talking to herself.
"Hmm, lets see, caverns and tunnels, so I guess we could use some some torches or lightrods, chalk and strings to mark our way. Probably some rope and pitons in case of collapsed cave floors. Should definitely get medical supplies for survivors......"
Amisi looks about, trying to take stock of what is for sale here.
Vraie spins with awkward grace back towards Amisi, "Anything basic and mundane I have available, anything of more of an expert nature will need to be purchased from one of the nearby stores..."
He taps his mouth slightly with his index finger and thinks for a moment... he seems to get lost in his thoughts
Nevi is walking around the bar, ignoring Vraie's offer completely as Jade mentions the Technic League, his hand immediately moving to the butt of his blunderbuss and lifting it up in an action hero-like pose. "Do you promise they'll show up at the end of the month?" Nevi has always been laidback and absentminded, but the mention of his mortal enemies causes him to become almost an entirely different person, his voice even dropping a few levels and becoming a bit... grittier. "I've got unfinished business with them."
Amisi pokes Nevi in the thigh with her elbow. "Focus on the now or you won't be here at the end of the month."
She looks over to Vraie. "So far on my list are: rope, pitons, grappling hook, sunrod, chalk, map making kit, acid flask, first aid kit and rations. I may thing of more stuff in a minute, but those are some of the basic items we should take."
Popping out her dagger from her other wrist, Jade looked at it and added, "Well, I've always thought about getting a dagger with a hollowed out pommel. So I can hide an extra set of thieves tools."
Uthan nodded slightly. He reached out and signed before rocking back, thinking about the supplies he would need. "I could do with some more picks and such myself, my last set wore out two tombs back. A new shaving kit too. Also a basic cooking kit, since I doubt anyone else fancies uncooked rations. Speaking of which, let's grab 14 of the special Halfling rations, 8 packs of travel cake mix, four pounds of smoked or dried meat, a pound of cheese and half a pound of chocolate." He smiled sheepishloy at the others. "Sweet tooth. Plus a pound of allspice, cinnamon, cumin, oregano and rosemary. I'll stash most of it back home, but it's nice to have."
Thieve's Tools - 30gp
Cooking Kit - 3gp
Shaving Kit - 1gp 5sp
Halfling rations - 1gp 4sp for 14
Travel Cake Mix - 8sp for 8
Meat - 2gp 4 sp for 4 lbs
Cheese - 2sp for 1 lbs
Chocolate - 5gp for 1/2 lbs
Spices - 1gp per pound per spice
Vraie walks behind the bar, opens a trap door in the floor and begins brining out canvas bags with equipment. He organizes it into two bags for Amisi and Uthan
"Here is the climbing equipment and sunrods, as well as the acid flask, first aide kits and basic iron rations. You will need to go to the general store for those fancy spices. And you miss..." Turning towards Jade, "... will need to get a blacksmith to do any special work on weapons"
Once Vraie has everything gathered and distributed, he stops for a moment and looks at the party. "Once you are ready to go in, stop by the Temple of Brigh. The head cleric will cast water breathing on you so that you can make it to the cavern entrance below the Weeping Pond. The effect will last six hours, so that's your window of time before you should wrap up and get out before you attempt another excursion. Any questions?"
Amisi will pay for her items and follow the others until the whole group is ready to go to the Temple of Brigh.
"Then I shall make my purchases and meet you back here in about an hour. There is also some other things that I must attend to as well. Until then, a pleasant day to you all." Jade said.
After making her purchases, and attaching the hollowed pommel to her dagger, Jade headed to her guardian's shop. Upon entering, she greeted, "Hello Mother, I have returned to see how you fair during this time."
Uthan nodded and took his basic supplies, examining each to make sure it would work for him. And that it was of a suitable quality. Everything seemed fine, and he nodded and handed over the cash to the Guildmaster. He nodded to Jade as Oread headed out and rose to his feet as well. "Then I shall pick up the rest of what I need. In an hour."
He trudged outside, paused for a moment, and then headed to the general store. He moved to the counter and nodded. "I was looking for a few less than common supplies," he announced, and proceeded to point out what he needed.
You gather up your supplies and visit the temple of Brigh, the head cleric had heard of your coming and wastes no time at all in casting the water breathing upon you all.
"May the blessing of Brigh keep you safe out there" He says with a calm grandfatherly like smile. "And to the both of you especially." He looks to Uthan and Amisi. "Something strange has defiantly been transpiring since the torch went out, almost the whole town has been complaining of splitting headaches. Best find the cause sooner rather then later."
Nevi sluggishly follows in behind his friends, dragging his backpack along the ground. ”Ughhhhh, this stuff is so heavy…” Nevi drops the backpack on the ground and stretches his arms and legs as the followers of Brigh deal with the head cleric. As soon as the spell is cast on him, he looks around for a shallow pool of water that he can dunk is head into and test out his new magical breathing.
"Of course, sir," Uthan said with a bow. The Half-Orc bowed, clockwork hand to metal chestplate, in reverence. "With the Blessings of the Whisper in Bronze we shall attempt to find and correct the problem so that proper order and research can be restored."
Swinging his backpack up onto one shoulder, Uthan glanced at the others. "Everyone ready to get going?"
Nevi frowns at Uthan, ”But we just got here!” he complained as he gave a loud sigh and lifted his heavy backpack to sling back over his shoulder. ”I suppose time is of the essence. Plus, we all know that the longer I stay around somewhere, the more prone I am to losing something…..” Almost as if reminding himself, he pats his body down and makes sure he has all of his essentials on him before sluggishly moving towards the doors of the temple to head outside and embark on their adventure to save Torch.
"There could be survivors stranded and wounded, we should get going now and waste little time."
Amisi moves out with the group.
After a short conversation with her adoptive mother, and a quick hug, Jade met up with the others, ready to go.
As you leave town, you almost feel a slight weight has lifted from your shoulders from all the oppressed faces of the townsfolk. It doesn't take you long to arrive at Weeping Pond, but the usual stagnant water is even more murker then you remember. You notice an area of the bank that has numerous tracks leading into the water.
"Well, I suppose those are the tracks of the previous two groups. With any luck they will have left a decent trail to follow on the other side."
Amisi will head on down into the water, trusting in the spell to work.
Nevi starts running towards the water, eager to play with more magical waterbreathing, "Last one in is a rotten gnome!" He stops dead in his tracks and looks back at Amisi, "I mean Gnoll, GNOLL!"
Sighing slightly at Nevi's slip, Uthan replied, "I can't imagine many things smell pleasant when rotten." The Half-Orc eyed the water with slight concern. "I'm glad we have the spells," he added as he sat on a log and began to pull any superfluous clothes off. "I am not that good at swimming." He stashed his clothes in his backpack, double checking his supplies were well wrapped in wax paper before following.
Making sure her gear was ready, Jade added with a grin, "Well at the very least Uthan, you do not sink like a stone."