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"Soooo......." Merle begins somewhat casually to Mr Swire (making sure she is out of earshot of the others.) "How many of those vials do we have left?"
"Well, she took one, we'll probably have to give one to the kid to make him stop following us around, so we've got three to keep. You're thinking what I'm thinking?"
Yeh fixin' to clap us in irons fer defendin' ourselves or yeh reckon we can pay fer the damages an' leave yer district quiet-like an' we won't trouble yeh no more?"
Diplomacy: 1d20+5
After a bit of back and forth, and a palaver with the superintendent of the temement, the Hardheads decide to let the group go with a warning. They are obligated to pay damages of 300 Ladies, a princely sum to their minds for a ruined dormer, but it's better than the City Barracks for the night. . The Harmonium troops gather up Ghostface's corpse and take it to street level. There the groups part ways. The Hardhead measure Issac had wigwagged with addresses him one final time:
"I believe that yeh were ambushed. It's how these Sons of Anarchy cutters operate. I'd watch yer back, if I was yeh. Killing Ghostface'll have consequences."
The Hardheads troop off, leaving the party standing among the drunken throng of Alehouse Row.
Justin nods his head, a pleasant smile on his face. "And where does he call home, er, 'kip'? Or at least, where can I find him if I wanted to talk to him? I have some questions that he may be able to answer." The mage asks calmly. (A Little too calmly, considering his obvious anger from recently.)
The three khaasta hiss agitatetly and stare at Justin.
"No kip human. We travel the traderoadsssss. You wissssh to find the toilmassster you musst follow them assss well."
"Soooo......." Merle begins somewhat casually to Mr Swire (making sure she is out of earshot of the others.) "How many of those vials do we have left?""Well, she took one, we'll probably have to give one to the kid to make him stop following us around, so we've got three to keep. You're thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Soooo......." Merle begins somewhat casually to Mr Swire (making sure she is out of earshot of the others.) "How many of those vials do we have left?""Well, she took one, we'll probably have to give one to the kid to make him stop following us around, so we've got three to keep. You're thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Depends on what youre thinking." Merle responds
Yeh fixin' to clap us in irons fer defendin' ourselves or yeh reckon we can pay fer the damages an' leave yer district quiet-like an' we won't trouble yeh no more?"
Diplomacy: 1d20+5
After a bit of back and forth, and a palaver with the superintendent of the temement, the Hardheads decide to let the group go with a warning. They are obligated to pay damages of 300 Ladies, a princely sum to their minds for a ruined dormer, but it's better than the City Barracks for the night. . The Harmonium troops gather up Ghostface's corpse and take it to street level. There the groups part ways. The Hardhead measure Issac had wigwagged with addresses him one final time:
"I believe that yeh were ambushed. It's how these Sons of Anarchy cutters operate. I'd watch yer back, if I was yeh. Killing Ghostface'll have consequences."
The Hardheads troop off, leaving the party standing among the drunken throng of Alehouse Row.
"Thanks fer seein' our side, Measure. You take care, eh?"
With the Hardheads gone, he turns to the other three.
"Oi, cutters. We're gettin' sodding popular. Let's hope the rest o' the crew's had better luck. Yeh tip-top, Drazek or yeh need a spot o' relaxeder? Bethany? Ekuur?"
Isaac pulls a small flask from his inside pocket and holds it out to his comrades.
When discussion/healing is through, Isaac will lead the party back through to the Shattered Temple district, assuming we're still going to look for Barmy Kank. He'll also keep an eye out for their tail and any other Sons of Anarchy.
Perception:
"Thanks fer seein' our side, Measure. You take care, eh?"
With the Hardheads gone, he turns to the other three.
"Oi, cutters. We're gettin' sodding popular. Let's hope the rest o' the crew's had better luck. Yeh tip-top, Drazek or yeh need a spot o' relaxeder? Bethany? Ekuur?"
Isaac pulls a small flask from his inside pocket and holds it out to his comrades.When discussion/healing is through, Isaac will lead the party back through to the Shattered Temple district, assuming we're still going to look for Barmy Kank. He'll also keep an eye out for their tail and any other Sons of Anarchy.
Perception: 1d20+16
Alehouse Row leads to Whitesmith Street. In contrast to the gaudy, bawdy riot of Alehouse Row, the main road leading into the Shattered Temple District is foggy and deserted. Small groups of Cagers appear and disappear out of the mists like ghosts, as the rain patters slowly down like heavy dew shaken off treebranches in the wind.
Issac sees little evidence of trailers. He casts his peepers to and fro, looking for any odd barmies wandering the road. The group passes shuttered jewelers and specialty forges at first, many of them dwarven-owned. As they head closer to the brooding fog-shrouded form of the Temple of Aoskar the establishments along the roadside cheapen and turn rougher, like plants too close to bad soil.
Barmies and soapbox ranters echo along the boulevard. Taverns are raucous and bubbers frequent. The sight of Drazek admiring his new toy keeps most far from the group.
"It's all a lie! The 'gods' are just jumped-up powerful bloods running a scam to eat yer soul! The only thing you got worth having and they make you kiss their arses an' it makes them stronger an' you weaker! Wake up idiots!"
"Ah' needs a Green fer me tucker won' shomeone give me a coin?"
Issac leads the group back down towards the mysterious church the Athar had been guarding. The streets empty but for the occasional staggering drunkard or barmy mumbling to themselves. The smell of cheap cooking and razorvine fires fill the air.
The three khaasta hiss agitatetly and stare at Justin."No kip human. We travel the traderoadsssss. You wissssh to find the toilmassster you musst follow them assss well."
Justin nods, not smiling, just looking thoughtful.
"Ah. I understand. Very well. Does the Toilmaster have a name? I ask because, I may just have a business proposition for him." Justin asks.
While speaking Justin has been looking at the items worn by the most talkative one. He picks out an item that looks most likely to never be out of the creatures sight, (armor, necklace, etc.) and memorizes the details of it.
"Depends on what you're thinking." Merle responds"Soooo......." Merle begins somewhat casually to Mr Swire (making sure she is out of earshot of the others.) "How many of those vials do we have left?""Well, she took one, we'll probably have to give one to the kid to make him stop following us around, so we've got three to keep. You're thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Getting enough jink to drown a man?"
Justin nods, not smiling, just looking thoughtful.
"Ah. I understand. Very well. Does the Toilmaster have a name? I ask because, I may just have a business proposition for him." Justin asks.
The lizard hisses some more
"Hisss name is Haac(!)nss. He doessssn't like humansss much, except assss cattle."
While speaking Justin has been looking at the items worn by the most talkative one. He picks out an item that looks most likely to never be out of the creatures sight, (armor, necklace, etc.) and memorizes the details of it.
The khaasta has an odd spiral length of begemmed silver wrapped around one horn frill. It looks sufficiently unique to memorize
"Getting enough jink to drown a man?""Depends on what you're thinking." Merle responds"Soooo......." Merle begins somewhat casually to Mr Swire (making sure she is out of earshot of the others.) "How many of those vials do we have left?""Well, she took one, we'll probably have to give one to the kid to make him stop following us around, so we've got three to keep. You're thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Close enough" Merle says rubbing her hands together in glee "got to be plenty of the richer folk that would pay a small fortune for an elixer of.....well whatever we decide to call it."
Ekuur takes a drink from the offered flask and hands it back to Isaac. "My thanks." He then looks to Drazek, and asks, "Are you alright now, my friend, or do you need additional care for your wounds?"
Following Isaac back to the temple, Ekuur keeps his eyes peeled, searching the crownd for any signs of the Athasian known as Barmy Kank.
Perception: take 10 = 10+4=14
Following Isaac back to the temple, Ekuur keeps his eyes peeled, searching the crowd for any signs of the Athasian known as Barmy Kank.
Perception: take 10 = 10+4=14
Ekuur casts about the streets, his eyes alert for any sign of an Athasian. As they arrive close to the guarded church, he spies an old man with a bone-and-feather-decorated staff. The man is wrapped in a thick ratty cloak, but his staff is topped with a Hk'rk'et skull, one of the small poisonous burrowing rodents found in the arid grasslands of Athas.
Ekuur casts about the streets, his eyes alert for any sign of an Athasian. As they arrive close to the guarded church, he spies an old man with a bone-and-feather-decorated staff. The man is wrapped in a thick ratty cloak, but his staff is topped with a Hk'rk'et skull, one of the small poisonous burrowing rodents found in the arid grasslands of Athas.Following Isaac back to the temple, Ekuur keeps his eyes peeled, searching the crowd for any signs of the Athasian known as Barmy Kank.
Perception: take 10 = 10+4=14
Seeing the man, Ekuur's eyes light up. "I believe this may be our quarry," he quietly mentions to his friends. Ekuur strides forward towards the man, and speaks to him.
Athasian common
Ekuur extends his hand to the man.
diplomay
Ekuur extends his hand to the man.
diplomay 1d20+5
The man turns to Ekuur. His seamed face has the light of insanity in it, but he takes in the Athasian-infused fire priest and smiles a gap-toothed grin. He shakes Ekuur's hand in the Athasian fashion.
Athasian:
The lizard hisses some more"Hisss name is Haac(!)nss. He doessssn't like humansss much, except assss cattle."
Justin simply smiles in that ingratiatingly irritating way of his.
"That's all right, I'm sure I won't like him much either. But that doesn't mean we can't do business, does it?"
Justin looks at Karrin for silent confirmation before dismissing the three frill-horned lizards with an airy wave of his hand.
"Go on, get out of here, before I decide to let your former victims have a piece of you to take home! Just be sure to deliver my message. Oh, and until our 'business' is settled, any further 'hunting' of essences will be considered an act of war. Meaning I will come down on you so hard, I'll make the Hardheads look like choir boys!" Justin growls.
"Now get lost!"
The khaasta has an odd spiral length of begemmed silver wrapped around one horn frill. It looks sufficiently unique to memorize
Justin take a final look at the Khastaa, using the mnemonic techniques he uses to quickly memorize and learn new spells to memorize the details of the lizards jeweled horn-frill. Gotcha sucker! He thinks to himself, then turns his back on them (inwardly cringing, and hoping Karrin is quick enough to stop a cowardly back-attack!) and walks back to his companions without looking back. As he is nearing his partners, he whispers through the message spell-link, 'Are they leaving?'
The man turns to Ekuur. His seamed face has the light of insanity in it, but he takes in the Athasian-infused fire priest and smiles a gap-toothed grin. He shakes Ekuur's hand in the Athasian fashion.Athasian:
** spoiler omitted **
Athasian
Nari's eyes had glowed a little more brightly when the lizard creature had referred to people as cattle, but just barely she managed to keep herself under control. As the creatures ran away, she calmed herself as best she could.
"I presume you have a plan?" she asked in a clipped tone. "Letting slavers go does not sit well with me."
;P
Justin places a hand on his heart in mock pain at Nari's statement.
"Of course I have a plan! I have three, actually. It's a rule. It's in the wizard's handbook." He says straight-faced, but with a swift wink at Nari.
Moving quickly, he pulls out a tiny sliver of stone hanging from a thin golden thread. He holds it up in front of his eyes and makes a few gestures over it as it slowly spins in front of his face. He murmurs a brief chant, and the stone pulses with a golden light. Blinking from the flash, Justin puts away the stone and string, and looks in the direction the lizards left in. His eyes still reflect that golden light. The mage gives a small, tight, smile.
"Gotcha sucker!" he whispers, then turns back to the group.
"Good, it's working. Alright, real quick. I memorized the bejeweled horn-frill on the talkative one. I can track it as long as the item is within the spells range. Unfortunately, it's only about 600 feet, so we'll have to move quickly to keep up. I had originally intended to use it to help find them later, but right now they've just been caught off guard, beaten down, and interrogated. They're reacting, not thinking real clearly. Odds are they're headed straight for they're 'safe spot' in town, kyp or not, and this is our best chance to track them to their lair without them realizing they're being followed, or looking for trouble. And I have NO intention of leaving a powerful artifact like this 'essence stealer' in the hands of slavers and thieves!" He says hastily. He pauses and takes a breath, looking at some point in the air that only he can see.
"So, what do you say? This may the best chance to catch them unawares, before they have a chance to move shop or prepare for trouble. With any luck we can find these guys, recover the artifact, and still meet up with the rest of the gang soon! At the very least, we'll have a good idea of where to start looking for them later. What do you say?,..." He asks, obviously hoping the answer is 'yes'. He looks distracted again as he checks the spell for directions.
The fellow, whom the party assume is 'Barmy Kank' jabbers to Ekuur a bit more.
Athasian:
** spoiler omitted **
Athasian
Nari listens to Justin's plan and nods. She smiles. It's not a very nice smile.
"I think that sounds like a wonderful idea. And a very good opportunity to make it a very very bad week to be a slaver."
She sighed impatiently. "She says she's not happy because I'm being too bloodthirsty about this, so I'll have to let her have control back. For now. You'll need me again later."
Nari's psicrystal slowly crept out from under her hair. All the confidence drained out of Nari and she went back to her usual timid, frightened self. The crystal began skittering around boldly.
Justin looks at Nari with an appraising eye.
"You alright?" He asks the elf maid with concern, then looks at the psicrystal with new understanding.
"I think we might want to talk about you and your, psicrystal is it?, the next time we get a chance to relax. It seems you are a veritable font of surprises!" Justin says. He gives one of his enigmatic half-smiles, then looks away suddenly, frowning.
"They're moving quickly. I don't want them to get out of spell range if possible. Mr. Swire, I can give you directions and distance, if you can find us a path and keep us from walking into an ambush." He says with a smile that rivals Nari's previous one.
"They're moving quickly. I don't want them to get out of spell range if possible. Mr. Swire, I can give you directions and distance, if you can find us a path and keep us from walking into an ambush." He says with a smile that rivals Nari's previous one.
Swire keeps astride with Justin, making sure he's not getting them all completely lost.
::Athasian::
Ekuur:
The old barmy leads the group over to a sheltered spot under an huge ancient drainspout of a two-headed dog. The thrum of water passing through the spout masks their conversation.
Barmy Kank croaks out in accented Common:
"I vill talk the tongue from here so as to include your friends, priest. Vhat vould you know of the church?"
"They're moving quickly. I don't want them to get out of spell range if possible. Mr. Swire, I can give you directions and distance, if you can find us a path and keep us from walking into an ambush." He says with a smile that rivals Nari's previous one.Swire keeps astride with Justin, making sure he's not getting them all completely lost.
1d20+8;1d20+10
The dark-cloaked pair range ahead of the others, keeping the spell in range as best they can. Mr Swire's eyes dart to and fro, vigilant for the many surprises a Hive backalley can bring. He's not familiar with this particular swillslop of a neighborhood, but he has a sense for how the crooked alleys connect and flow to larger streets and plazas. They manage to keep the lizards in range, the thin wizard concentrating on his dweomer and calling out directions in a hushed tone.
They emerge into a larger road, deeper into Khaasta Row. The atmosphere here is much more reptilian than the bordering streets. Odd triangle-and-dot signs begin to be displayed over odd-shaped buildings of ancient demeanor. Khaasta, kobolds, lizardfolk of all sizes and hue throng the road. A few humans or other non-lizardy folk can be seen, but a definite minority. The party moves on as nonchalant as possible.
The item stops moving fast. Justin and Swire look up and see a large tavern-like building stuffed with raucous reptilians.
::Athasian::Ekuur:
** spoiler omitted **
The old barmy leads the group over to a sheltered spot under an huge ancient drainspout of a two-headed dog. The thrum of water passing through the spout masks their conversation.
Barmy Kank croaks out in accented Common:
"I vill talk the tongue from here so as to include your friends, priest. Vhat vould you know of the church?"
Isaac sighs in relief that this Barmy Kank is fairly lucid.
"Well, cutter, a few simple questions: do you know what Power the church was dedicated to? There any concealed or rear entrances? Was there anythin' else living in the church while you were there? Any portals you noticed?"
The swift passage through the slums is a long blur to Justin. Concentrating on his spell, and keeping the item of his focus in range, the wizard maintains just enough presence of mind not to trip over his own feet. He pulls up short with an upheld hand and a whispered 'Stop, I think we're here.' as he looks at the large tavern before them.
"That's a lot of lizard folk," Karrin says scanning the bar, "though I doubt all of them are in league with these slavers, but I'm willing to bet if we get into a scuffle up there that they'll side with the ones with the same skin."
Justin purses his lips and nods in reluctant agreement.
"That is a lot of lizards." He echoes nonplussed, looking for their 'friends'.
"OK, first objective achieved. We've trailed them to their meeting place. I have to admit, I was hoping for someplace a little less,... occupied." He adds, blowing a small raspberry of frustration.
"I can probably enter without attracting too much attention, using the same spell as the one I used to disguise myself as Clawboy. But passing myself off as a lizard will probably be a lot harder than passing as another human." Justin muses softly.
"And time is against us. Remember, they aren't here for a drink! They're here to warn the rest of their group, and high-tail it. Back door?!?" He asks suddenly, checking his tracking spell to see if his target is moving again,...
Isaac sighs in relief that this Barmy Kank is fairly lucid.
"Well, cutter, a few simple questions: do you know what Power the church was dedicated to? There any concealed or rear entrances? Was there anythin' else living in the church while you were there? Any portals you noticed?"
The old barmy grins, his wrinkled seamed face bunching up at the corners.
"Aye. There is a vay from the rear to enter. I used to sleep there before the godless ones showed up. Unter the big razorvine bush to the left of the back vall is a pile of schtones. There is an opening there you cannot see until you are almost upon it.
The old church is empty, but it feels odd. It is a good place to sleep though, no one bozzers you."
Isaac sighs in relief that this Barmy Kank is fairly lucid.
"Well, cutter, a few simple questions: do you know what Power the church was dedicated to? There any concealed or rear entrances? Was there anythin' else living in the church while you were there? Any portals you noticed?"The old barmy grins, his wrinkled seamed face bunching up at the corners.
"Aye. There is a vay from the rear to enter. I used to sleep there before the godless ones showed up. Unter the big razorvine bush to the left of the back vall is a pile of schtones. There is an opening there you cannot see until you are almost upon it.
The old church is empty, but it feels odd. It is a good place to sleep though, no one bozzers you."
"Yes, can you explain what you mean by odd? And can you tell us what is inside, or what it looks like?"
Barmy Kank shrugs, his ratty woolen cloak redolent of spicy food and cheap hiveshine. The roar of the large downspout muffles his words.
"The opening is chust a hole. You need to viggle through. It's a short distance. Inside it is empty, and quiet. It feels like someone is near you even vhen there is no one there. Like someone vas nearby, but not in a mean vay. I do not think there vere portals and I know not who vas vorshipped there."
checking his tracking spell to see if his target is moving again,...
The feeling is quiescent, the lizard must be standing still. The reptile bar has a round opening and a large iron porthole-shaped door thrown open wide. Steam and warm light spill into the rainy Sigilian antipeak fog. A doorman that looks half-raptor, half-demon leans against an odd-shaped trident.
There is a side alleyway to the building, which seems to lead to a back area of some sort. The party spies an occasional kobold in a stained apron running down the narrow passage carrying an item out and disappearing down the street on some errand.
The group stays to the shadows of a closed mercantile displaying various exotic leather goods in the window. The darkness and fog are their allies, most of the various reptiles on the soggy street ignore them.
Barmy Kank shrugs, his ratty woolen cloak redolent of spicy food and cheap hiveshine. The roar of the large downspout muffles his words.
"The opening is chust a hole. You need to viggle through. It's a short distance. Inside it is empty, and quiet. It feels like someone is near you even vhen there is no one there. Like someone vas nearby, but not in a mean vay. I do not think there vere portals and I know not who vas vorshipped there."
Isaac nods, takes a quick glance up and down the street and slips Barmy Kank a lady.
"Thanks for the Chant, cutter. Think that'll be enough fer us to go on. What d'ye say, bloods? Take a peak at our friend's old kip? No need teh rattle our boneboxes when there's work t'get done."
checking his tracking spell to see if his target is moving again,...The feeling is quiescent, the lizard must be standing still. The reptile bar has a round opening and a large iron porthole-shaped door thrown open wide. Steam and warm light spill into the rainy Sigilian antipeak fog. A doorman that looks half-raptor, half-demon leans against an odd-shaped trident.
There is a side alleyway to the building, which seems to lead to a back area of some sort. The party spies an occasional kobold in a stained apron running down the narrow passage carrying an item out and disappearing down the street on some errand.
The group stays to the shadows of a closed mercantile displaying various exotic leather goods in the window. The darkness and fog are their allies, most of the various reptiles on the soggy street ignore them.
Justin pulls up the hood of his coat as the rain starts to cut through the foggy miasma of the Hive. He scoots closer to the others, taking advantage of the meager shelter of the awning of the closed shop as he warily eyes the bouncer across the street.
"What do you say? Karrin? Swire? I figure just charging in is likely to end up,... painful. Wait till they leave and jump them? OR follow them some more? Or maybe sneak in the back way to get a look at what's going on inside? I'd like a look at who he's talking to. They may just be a bunch of slavers and thieves, but I wouldn't bet against an organized group being mixed up in this somehow. 'Stolen Essence' isn't something you can just unload at your local pawn shop!" Justin whispers to the others.
"Hm, maybe if I sneak in the back way, disguised as one of them,..." He mutters, indicating the side alley with a bob of his head as another shorter reptilian in a generically stained apron hastens out of the alley and heads off on an errand.