The bearpelt-wearing man's expression turns grim. "Hmm. That does sound like the same group."
He looks over her shoulder at Bertrand and Khalaban, noticing their staring. "Help ya with something? Or are you here to gawk?"
Khalaban smiled. "Apologies, I didn't want to interrupt Vixie. I was informed that you might have some work available, and was interested in hearing more."
Adriana looks around for her traveling companions...
"Aye, I might have some work for ya." The man pulls up a few chairs. "Have a seat."
"How good do you reckon you all are at investigating cults?"
Vixie bounces in her seat. ”W-we’re really r-really good!” exclaims the kitling. ”...w-what’s a ‘c-cult’ th-though?”
Smiling at Vixie, Khalaban responded, "I can't say I've ever done it before. I am...not terribly smart, but Vixie and I do have friends who are wiser than we." He noticed Adriana looking around, and resisted the urge to nod towards her.
"I think I would be interested in looking into them for you, though."
Adriana makes her way through the crowd towards her friends amazed they have not started to eat yet....Hope they are not getting sick... she thinks to herself.
Max attempts to use as low a profile as possible, even ducking under tables and following servers and whatnot to try and prevent drawing too much attention to themselves. It's not that they're paranoid per se but there is a LOT of tall people here and it's a very busy place and it's not as confined busy as say a snarl might be, or the more sedate approach of Kassen.
Unfortunately, as is likely the case, even in such a busy location they more than likely only serve to draw all the attention on themselves... the fact that they are a little dragon is probably NOT helping matters in the least bit.
Once it becomes obvious, they do their level best to not find a table near the party and instead find a corner area -- that's if they don't get kicked out.
Adriana approaches the gathered group with ease, but Max causes more than a bit of a stir as he follows. Admittedly, it's more from the jostling and table-rocking Max causes, darting from table to table and almost spilling a few drinks than the fact that a kobold is in the feasting hall.
The bearpelted man begins to speak, but stops himself when he sees Max approach.
"...I take it those two are with you?" He asks Vixie and Khalaban. "Well, if they are, I suppose they're welcome to join too."
"Name's Gavirk. I'm the forest marshal for the Fangwood Forest here in Tamran. And I've got a vested interest in seeing those 'Living God' cultists kicked out of town. I've been getting reports from the citizens that these cultists go around swindling money from folks and extorting money from those too savvy to listen to their preaching. And the guards don't do anything to stop them."
"They weren't a problem two years ago--just a few missionaries who somehow managed to talk the mayor into letting them build a temple to their god on the outskirts of town. The year after the temple was built, they started worming their way deeper into the city ever since."
"I don't have enough information about them to go on--not enough evidence of criminal activity, not enough knowledge of what their God stands for, not even how many of them there are. I do know that they recruit people at a tavern called the Ranger's Lament--it's a couple of streets down from the market."
Waving the others over once the Marshall gave his blessing, Khalabam listened. "I believe that we might have a shared interest in this new cult," Khalaban said slowly. "What would you accept as proof of there ill intent or dishonesty if we were able to obtain such things?"
Adriana smiles,"I am rather good at discovering and destoying heretical cults. Besides these cultist have wronged lots of people here and abroad...their cries for vengeance needs to be fulfilled."
Gavirk folds his hands on his table. "I've observed some of those cultists going about their 'work' for a while now. They usually have at least one of their number hanging back and taking records of everything they've extorted. If you can get your hands on a copy of these records, it'll be enough proof for me to rally the guards and chase the 'Living God's' faithful out of town."
"However, records that sensitive probably won't be open to just any of their faithful--you'll probably need to join up with them and perform some favours in order to earn their trust first." He sighs. "I understand that they're going to conduct a recruitment session at the Ranger's Lament--it's a tavern on the western edge of town."
Nodding slowly, Khalaban said, "So, your suggestion would be to 'join' this cult, perform services until we enter a position of some trust, and take these records from them." Considering, the Kineticist added, "We would need a certain level of leeway. What they ask of us may not be entirely legal, and I have no wish to be run out of town with them. If you can guarantee that such charges will not be pressed then I will be happy to help."
Max looks at the rest of the party then at themselves.
Then at the rest of the party and themselves again.
"Um, Mister Gavrik? I don't think I'm going to be able to pull off the 'infiltrate' thing very well. You tall folk lack the very important scales and proper height for me to do so...." Max offers after a beat or two.
Gavirk looks down at Maxilla. "From what I've seen of these cultists, what really matters to them is their devotion to their 'God', not their devotee's race. I think you'll do fine."
"As to legal repercussions, I'll make sure that whatever criminal mischief the cult would have you do, charges won't be pressed."
"Within reason, of course."
"Okay, then. I'll help. There's two spirits that want to rest but cannot and we need to help them however we can." Max offers hopefully.
Vixie shifts a little in her chair, looking uncomfortable.
Unless you’re a pretty lady.
"Hey Vixie relax...breaking laws for good is fun."
The kitling looks at Adriana with the expression she makes when she's trying to work through a particularly complicated* bit of math. "L-like when you're n-not supposed to eat a customer's donut but they g-give you one anyway," she says quietly to herself, with a resolute nod.
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"um...sure we will go with that."
"It's settled, then." Gavirk nods. "In exchange, once you get the proof we need to us, you're free to help yourselves to whatever wealth the cultists have hoarded away."
"Our thanks," Khalaban said with a nod. "We will also require certain information from the cult, if we fail to locate it while searching for your evidence, with regards to a certain tomb they plundered a few days ago. Is that acceptable?"
”Certainly.” Gavirk replies.
Nodding, Khalaban rose to his feet. "Let us see what can be done." Nodding to the others, he headed to try and get recruited into a cult.
...this was going to be an interesting day.
Vixie waddles along afterwards, trying her hardest to look culty.
Mostly she looks like a weird kid playing in armor.
"Perhaps before we go we might want to change our ourfits...something more...desperate and lost...something that will have cult recruiters say to themselves...'Hey look loosers'.
Khalaban looked at his brand new, tailor-made and very shiny armour. "Yes, I suppose this is rather...more than the average waif or stray is likely to wear when meeting them."
"Exactly. I should wear something that yells trashy...desparate...daddy issues. We kinda want to look like and act like the kind of people cults want to recruit." She seems to be loving this..," We need to plan out the roles we will be assuming. We can't just go to the Ranger's Lament like a band of adventures looking to wipe out a evil cult," she pauses a second looking at Vixie speculative..."I think you could make a great village idiot..." She than start looking a Khalaban with the same speculation...
Vixie looks beyond her depth, but tries her best to keep up. She seems well-puzzled for a moment, then speaks up:
"M-Miss Adriana? I d-don't know h-how to act d-dumb," she squeaks, rather worried that she might be too smart.
The worry is misplaced, of course, but...
Adriana looks down at Vixie with a smile,"I have faith in you. Besides the village idiot is the perfect roll for you...you don't have to speak much...Just drool a little. You can wear heavy armor...Just bumped into things so it looks like you are wearing it to protect yourself from yourself. And no one pays attention to you so they will say anything in front of you. She looks at Khalaban..."I am thinking for you The Angry Tough Guy role. Someone the cult with think is easy to manipulate and use for enforcement type roll. I am think you and Vixie should go in together as a pair as the Village Idiot needs a handler and that will allow the two of you to be armed and armored."
She next looks at Maxilla,"I am thinking human wannabe...Someone desperate to find a place to belong."
Than she looks at the bard..."You should be really sleazy and charming. Someone the cult would think as a recruiter...or at least as a guy and can get girls."
She pauses..."We also have to go in separately...except for Khalaban and Vixie. A cult will prefer their prey to alone and easy victims. Any questions, Comments, or concerns?"
"Okay, so I need a cloth to wrap around my snout, some goggles to hide my eyes, a belt to hold my tail up, and a really beaten up cloak. And then I need to act like true dragons normally act, and I'll be good to go!" Max chimes in as they consider this. "Or even act like I'm Vixie!"
Vixie considers what was said for a moment; rather than responding verbally, her tongue rolls out and dangles under her chin. It, like several of her other features, is looking decidedly more canid these days.
She pauses and looks at Max,"Do you have a way to hide your holy symbol? Or maybe a smaller version of it? This might be hard on you...I have been given special dispensation by my church and Goddess to break the rules to deal with things like this...How far can you go?"
It seems to be a rhetorical questions as...or maybe it only important that Maxilla ask the question of themselves...because She turn to the others And says beaming"Let's go shopping!
Nodding in agreement - it was a better plan than he had, which was to simply be himself with a wish to join the cult - Khalaban followed along to do someshopping.
"It SHOULD be okay? I mean, they're not going to want to see my scales anyways, so the important one right here will be hidden" Max mentions as they thumb their chest "And the other one, well, Dad understands that sometimes when you're hunting you have to be a little bit sneaky and really think like a dragon. Still, we could leave it with the hunter-human so it can be safe?"
Adriana gets a couple of dresses....and helps people in their shopping. She than gets ready. You all have seen her wear sexy dresses before, but before she wears them with a confidence and no shame.. now there is a hint desperation and insecurity. She also wearing slight too much make up.
She has also replaced her regular Eleven Curved Blade with a shoddy short sword.
She looks over everyone else efforts..
After some umming and arring, Khalaban had returned to his old armour and coat, his shining new armour packed away carefully. His clothing - usually comfortable woollens in Earthern tones and shades - had been replaced by black leather and metal. Spikes and studs of shining steel were a prominent feature.
His jewellery, usually studs and hoops of silver, had been replaced by yet more spikes of steel. His shield was strapped to one arm, and an evil looking long sword hung from one hip.
Adjusting the tight leather, Khalaban asked, "Do you think I should go in as a human or in my normal form?"
By the end of the montage, the baker's daughter is well-trussed in a soft, padded armor, extra thick around her elbows, knees, and neck, with a soft helmet to go with it. With her tongue still dangling past her jawline and her eyes wide, she definitely looks... vulnerable.
Adriana inspects Khalaban...."Mmm....what is the story of all of those spikes? What is your name?"
She than turns to Vixie,"Than is very good Vixie...but you have to talk a little bit...So say something in character. Also what should Khalaban call you?"
Looking down at the spikes, Khalaban considered for a moment. "Because I'm very insecure?" Coughing for a moment, the massiveSkinwalker considered for a moment. "For a name, I shall go with...Khal. The spikes are..." His forehead wrinkled in thought as he put his imagination to work. "My father had a spiked chain as a weapon, and these remind me of them?" He did not sound confident in his answer.
Adriana looks skeptical..."The name is good...it is something that you or Vixie won't mess up." She pauses thinking of phrasing,"As for the spikes...it is because of insecurity...but respond with a more...'None of your business' vibe.
Vixie fidgets, looking uncomfortable. "U-uhm... m-my name is... m... mmmmm... Mynaem."
Once the party has made their purchases and crafted their new identities, it’s off to the Ranger’s Lament.
It’s early in the evening by the time the party arrives—normally the time of day when taverns would be doing the most business. But in stark contrast to the Forest Bounty, the Ranger’s Lament is quiet and somber. Scarcely a sound can be heard coming from inside: otherwise, it looks how a run-of-the-mill tavern would look anywhere else.
The common room has only a few tired-looking patrons and a clean-shaven old man behind the bar.
Adriana walks in first with false confidence and walks up to the bar she gives a fkirtaous smile to the bartender and says,"Hello, my name is Arveene, so can you make a Sandpoint Ice Tea?"
The barkeep looks 'Arveene' over and smirks. "Ya got the silver? 2 silvers."
Adriana goes through her money pouch and depressingly pulls forth a silver and two copper and sighs,"All I have is a silver and two copper..." She looks around,"Hey...why is this place sooo empty?"
"Hey, cheer up, sweet thing." The barkeep scoops up the silver piece. "I'd serve you anything you want."
He bends down behind the bar and produces several flasks of alcohol, a glass and a mixer, and starts artistically twirling the booze. "Oh, give it time. The clientele here tend to be a rather... exclusive bunch."
With the flair of a virtuoso, he pours the various types of alcohol into the mixer, one after another, before scooping up the metal stoppered mixer and vigorously shaking it. Then he pours it into the glass, adding a couple of ice cubes to top it off.
"If you know what I mean."
She gives the bartender her best vapid expression..."No...I don't know what you mean."
Max attempts to walk casually in and find a corner table. Nope, nothing unusual to see here. Just a really short human with a bad skin condition...