"For all I know, you're the reason my back doesn't want to be known... I'm not telling you anything."
Arius rubs his eyes. "Verik, why exactly do you think your backer has anything to fear from us? We're independent agents working with the Guard because we don't want this part of town to lapse into violence."
"Use your head for a moment. Who are these riots going to hurt? The wealthy? Not likely--they have the money to afford protection. The poor don't. A belly full of meat won't help much if there's a sword sticking out of it."
"Aye, but the riots started because the people think that the queen is going to not care about them, if even one person thinks my backer is the queen, it will spread as a rumor, and that alone may quell some of the fear."
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"So where exactly are you getting the meat from anyway? Is it coming from your mysterious backer or are you procuring it yourself? When my friend was making enquiries earlier she said that you had run out. If you backer is that interested in feeding the poor then you'd think that they would keep you better supplied, hmmm."
"There are only so many farms around the city. The queen takes the choicest animals for herself and the guard. The nobility takes most of the other stock, leaving the runts of the litters for the average person. Even then, when you're giving the meat away for free, you need to pay for the animals.. and you can't pay much. From what I understand, we have to trade with farmers further from the city to get the animals that we do get, and even those have to survive the trip in caravans to the city after being bought. It just isn't feasible to get a larger number of animals - the cost would outweigh the gold available to us, so we make do with what we have, and feed as many as we can."
"Fair enough. But why back a split in the Guard if your backer's goal is to stop the violence? The biggest riots are happening in the area that you used to patrol and probably know better than anyone. Couldn't your backer hire someone not in the Guard to distribute the food? Then you could have helped to stop your home neighborhoods from being torn apart."
Seeing the captive stirring, and counting heads, Keth realizes it would be bad to face all of these at once...and goes around making sure all are bound securily and that weapons are piled in the coener of the room.
Once Keth has checks the bonds, and made sure all the captives are secure and separated by at least 10 feet and all weapons piled up. He clears his throat and says "All of you. Verik here has said that he won't give up his backer. To me that means he hasn't fully surrendered. Here's whats going to happen. We are taking you back to the queens Capt of the Guard to stand trial for treason. I personally think theres something fishy about all this. Im not that smart, so I leave things like that to those that are. What I do know is folks that help are less likely to be killed for treason and may just be exiled or do some prison time. Perhaps even put back in the guard if you are helpful enough. In fact, We may even release you if you are extremely helpful. Whats for sure, is if we take you back and say...they aint speakin....The guard will find a way to make you talk. Who'd you rather tell the truth to...the guard, or us?"
the waking guards glance at each other, and areound the room, obviously nervous. one of them speaks up saying Verik was thee only one to know the baker... none of us ever met them.. honest
Keth turns to Verik and says "if thats true, do you believe the Guard will believe your men had no knowledge of what agreements were made...what was said...or will they be put to the test to make sure they know nothing. Would you do this to your men then Verik? would your ego and pride allow your men to suffer for you? Allow us to help. Don't be stubborn!"
Verik's crooked grin re-appears and he responds with I'll take my chances in the court marshal, thanks you very much
The wolf's ears perk up, and he starts growling at the closed door to the room that the group hasn't been in yet. ( no one else got high enough perception roll)
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Verik's crooked grin re-appears and he responds with I'll take my chances at the court marshal, thank you very much
Elizabeth walks over to him, swaying her hips as she goes. She runs her finger seductively down his cheek and whispers in his ear, "I'm sure that if you were to tell us all about your backer, my friends wouldn't be adverse to turning the other way while the two of us went upstairs for a short... chat shall we say."
She straightens up, making sure to brush herself against his arm and smiles.Diplomacy Check. (1d20+9=27)
Verik looks at you and raises an eyebrow "give that invitation often, do you?
Branahm notices the wolf's growls. He pulls out his mace and turns to face the door.
"What's in there, Verik?"
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Branahm notices the wolf's growls. He pulls out his mace and turns to face the door.
"What's in there, Verik?"
Anju walks over to Tikaani "What is it boy?"
She turns back to Verik "You know, I was down there with the meat and I couldn't figure out what kind of meat it was. Being a druid who has lived off what nature gives for her whole life I know what animal meat looks like. Just where exactly does this stuff come from?"
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Verik looks at you and raises an eyebrow "give that invitation often, do you?
"Only to those I find interesting enough. Just let it be known I'm not one who takes rejection lightly." Her seductive smile turns just enough to appear cruel for a second and then back to charming again. "Your guards rejected my offer, although truth be told there was no way I would consort with trash like them. I was attempting a ruse and look what happened to them for their rejection. You on the other hand, interest me. A short trip upstairs would be of mutal benefit to both of us I'm sure."
Verik replies Just the livestock pens before they are slaughtered - How did you live then if you can't recognize pig and cow?
"I suggest that we see what's making the wolf so nervous. Whenever all of you are ready."
"Very well. Give me just a moment."
Arius puts some distance between himself and the door, then checks his spell components and pulls out the wand of Magic Missile.
"I'm ready."
Keth watches as the group moves to the door...he still is not set that these others aren't able to get free, and moves over, spear poised to be thrust into Verik as the others go to the door. "Whats behind that door Verik?...A surprise and you get it"
Keth watches as the group moves to the door...he still is not set that these others aren't able to get free, and moves over, spear poised to be thrust into Verik as the others go to the door. "Whats behind that door Verik?...A surprise and you get it"
Verik replies evenly I already told you, thats where the animals are kept before they're killed
"Yes you did....what you didn't say is what kind of animal it was, and something tells me it isnt a normal animal....And that IS something you well know Verik!"
"Yes you did....what you didn't say is what kind of animal it was, and something tells me it isnt a normal animal....And that IS something you well know Verik!"
Verik Laughs your friend over there has the list of everything that has come in since I started this, broken up by day. Ask him what might be there The list Arius had taken from the office shows that mostly pigs and boar are brought to the shop, all of which are butchered the night after they come in. There are a few instances of cows, deer, and fowl being dropped off instead, but it appears that everything is slaughtered the day it arrives, and handed out the next day. The only discrepancy is the second day of operation, 2 pigs were brought in that do not show as being slaughtered.
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"Yes you did....what you didn't say is what kind of animal it was, and something tells me it isnt a normal animal....And that IS something you well know Verik!"Verik Laughs your friend over there has the list of everything that has come in since I started this, broken up by day. Ask him what might be there The list Arius had taken from the office shows that mostly pigs and boar are brought to the shop, all of which are butchered the night after they come in. There are a few instances of cows, deer, and fowl being dropped off instead, but it appears that everything is slaughtered the day it arrives, and handed out the next day. The only discrepancy is the second day of operation, 2 pigs were brought in that do not show as being slaughtered.
In response to Verik "I'll admit that we did not feast often on cows and pigs in my village but I am well aware of what the meat should look like and I know exactly what deer and fowl should look and smell like."
If everyone is ready Anju will open the door. For now she'll just put her ear up to the door to see if she can hear anything.
Listen Check
1d20+8 -> [17+8] = (25)
"I'll take another look at the list when we're done, but in the meantime, let's see what's inside."
You open the door to a 10 foot wide and 30 foot long hallway. There is a door all the way at the end on the right, and another one 5 feet in on the right.
perception Checks
less than 10
10-20
20+
Arius points at the nearer door. "Something's in there."
Keth watches Verik carefully, spear poised. as he strains his ears to listen down the hallway as the door is opened....
"Whats scratching at the other Door Verik?!"
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Elizabeth will stand with Verik while the others investigate the room, she is fast becoming angry again thet Verik has ignored her offer. She still looks calm, but if you were to look carefully you could see her starting to tense up and the tips of her ears turning red.
Her hand rests comfortably on Caress' hilt, although it is still in it's sheathe at her side. Her fingers are idle tapping away in it, but you can see them starting to slowly curl their way around the grip.
Verik replies with a shrug, nonchalantly saying rats maybe? Guys.. how far did you get butchering tomorrow's meat before these vigilantes attacked you viciously
The two you first encountered look at each other and shrug woozily
"The phrase 'independent contractors deputized by the Guard' would be more strictly correct than 'vigilantes.'"
Branahms snorts. "Yes. We're ex-vigilantes."
"Now open that door magically--unless you'd prefer to dither further."
"Hmph."
Arius checks that his companions are prepared in case that there will be trouble. Then he uses his Hand of the Apprentice to open the door.
"Do you want to take a look at it, Anju? You're probably the best with animals of all of us."
Anju opens the bag slowly at first, but after looking into it, pulls it down to the floor. Inside is a halfling, bound and Gagged. He has a black-eye, and it appears from the discoloration of his chest from the torn shirt he wears that some of his ribs were broken before Branahm's surges mended them. He has scars on his shoulder.
Knowedge: nobility, or history dc 15:
As the gag is removed, he sputters Women! So those who attacked me were defeated? I heard the fighting and yelling in my have of pain... I feel better now though. The name's Warft. No last name, the master wouldn't permit it.
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Anju opens the bag slowly at first, but after looking into it, pulls it down to the floor. Inside is a halfling, bound and Gagged. He has a black-eye, and it appears from the discoloration of his chest from the torn shirt he wears that some of his ribs were broken before Branahm's surges mended them. He has scars on his shoulder.
Knowedge: nobility, or history dc 15:** spoiler omitted **
As the gag is removed, he sputters Women! So those who attacked me were defeated? I heard the fighting and yelling in my have of pain... I feel better now though. The name's Warft. No last name, the master wouldn't permit it.
Anju expecting to find a pig rather a person in there jumps back at seeing the halfling. After his gag is removed and he speaks Anju asks "Master? Who is this master you speak of? An more importantly, why were you inside this bag in a butcher shop?"
Like Anju, Branahm is taken aback for a moment. Then he steps forward and helps Warft out of the bag.
"Here, let me take a look at your wounds."
"Are you from Cheliax? From your tattoo, it looks like you were... ah... 'in service' there for a time." Arius uses a common euphemism for slavery.
Keth begins to get very angry....He scowls and clenches his jaw..."You...Are...Butchering....Halflings...and Feeding...Them....To...The...People?...Verik, You are evil!. The people need to know this and see you for what you are."
Sense motive dc 10
dc 15
dc 20
I don't know what he was doing there, but I didn't order it! Honest! Parn! I trusted you to give the needed food to these people, and instead you give them each other!??
"Verik, I believe that you didn't know about this abomination. But I think that your supplier must have. Tell us his name."
Arius looks disgusted. "This is how you 'help' the people?"
"wipe the smirk off your face. We have discovered the truth behind THIS MEAT...and the people will know!, I am certain the Guard will be glad to get their hands on you once this is known...."
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Sense Motive Check. (1d20+6=10)
Elizabeth sees the anger appear in Verik's face as the halfling is revealed and the accusations are levelled at him.
Her own anger calms after seeing the halfling. Cold she may well be, but only towards those who deserve it and this goes beyond anything she would ever even contemplate doing.
She turns to the other guards, a feral gleam appearing in her eye as she slowly draws Caress. "You people are are an abomination. Blow the extra reward money this is going to end right here and now unless you tell me exactly what is going on here. And believe me your stories better match or else." She punctuates this last statement by walking over to them and casually sliding Caress along the cheek and down the neck of one guard after the other.
Intimidate Check. (1d20+4=21)
"I suggest that you answer the lady. None of us will provide you with protection given your evident guilt."
The Guard with the blade to his throat quivers and starts to visibly shake. We started taking some odd jobs as Mercs the other day... thats all.. He nods at the halfling'Is Master in Cheliax 'anted 'im to disappear to proove to 'is other slaves tha runnin' away wasn't a good idea You can easily hear the fear in the ex-guards voice, and his lowborn accent coming out as he speaks quickly.
You also see the anger welling in Verik.