The woman looks down at Tomlin's short stature and speaks with a drawl, "Naw, haven't seen him for a few days. He'll probably be around tonight or mayhap tomorrow night."
Tavrus appears at the Mithril Rose, wordless and in tow with the others.
"The attack on our leadership was an affront to our organization, and more importantly, a clear sign that the malcontents in this city have no regard for law or decency."
Serelina's face becomes a mask of professionalism as she addresses the paladin. "Greetings Captain. Matters are urgent, so I fear that I must be quite direct with you. You may have heard rumors of the troubles in some of the outlying villages. You may have heard rumors that it is suspected to be the work of your former associate Radgar. We have been tasked with investigating and resolving these troubles and so we need information on who Radgar was and who and where you suspect he is today."
Paladins... wound so tight that who can be surpised when they snap. The Mithril Rose is as responsible for the actions of their prodigy as the man himself.
Tomlin nodded with brows furrowed and glanced over at Ian, giving the man a moment to add a query or response if he saw fit. Assuming he had nothing else to add, the halfling responded, Yeah, that sounds like him. Well, I appreciate your help. He leaves a few coppers on the table in front of the woman in thanks and heads back to the Tower to reconnect with the rest of the group after they complete their work at the Mithril Rose.
As they walk to The Silver Spirits, Ian points out some burnt-down ruins.
"That used to be the big popular tavern, before the Spirits--this was uh...eight years back or so. Little group of petty criminals started called themselves 'Red's Messengers' or some other bullshit they made up to sound dangerous."
Though he has an intimidating demeanor, Ian seems protective of the halfling, keeping himself between Tomlin and any dangerous looking passerby. Not that Tomlin needed protecting. Maybe old habits die hard.
"Guard was investigating a kidnap and ransom case, and they were the prime suspects. Group of us went down there to do a sweep—they ask for a password at the door,” Ian laughs, ”So we kick it in. I uh, I made some clever remark about the password thing as we went in, but can't remember what it was. Anyway, place is full of these thugs and petty thieves, all wearin' red. One of em puts a knife to the stolen kid's throat and says he'll kill him if we don't leave. Guard to my left, uh... Valan, I think his name was, puts a crossbow bolt through the thug's eye, but the kid runs off as soon as he hits the ground.”
They spot The Silver Spirits sign up ahead, a few blocks down. Ian seems to be staring far past it.
”Some of them scatter, some try to rush us. Not sure if they set the fire on purpose or accidentally. Smoke kept getting' thicker, and we couldn't find the kid. The other guards left but I kept lookin',” He nods slowly, still staring off.
At the door of The Silver Spirits, he looks to Tomlin.
”Never found him. I like to think kid ran outta' that place before the fire even started. Never forgot that—coulda' been one of mine.”
He smirks a little, ”I mean it, coulda' been one of mine,” and nudges Tomlin, before going inside.
In the tavern, Ian keeps quiet, watching the faces of the patrons for anyone who looks ready to bolt as Tomlin asks about Rosuc.
Captain Izash grins, "Straight to the point, and gladly so."
"Radgar was one of the best, maybe the best. He could have had my position if he'd been interested in it. At the time he had no interest in administrative duties, only in serving the city and its people."
The Captain lets out a sigh, "I don't know what you do you don't know so I'll give you everything I have. Radgar was a fair hand with a blade, but his true skill with arms was with a longbow. He could hit a bullseye at 200 paces more often then not."
"He was investigating rumors of a slave trade. He figured out they were using illusions on their captives and practically walking the poor souls of town in broad day light. Disguised as a box of food stuffs, or a child sleeping in the back of a wagon. They'd keep their captives either drugged up, or used compulsion on them. He shut down that form of the business, though most people don't know it. He never wanted his name pegged with the good works he did."
"Someone behind the scenes though wasn't to happy about it" the captain's jaw hardens, "Two days later his wife was brutally murdered. We were all shaken by the loss, but he understandably was terribly grieved."
"For two weeks he spent nearly all his time indoors in a stupor, or often weeping. Then he was gone. Slipped out in the night past our door guards."
"We searched for him, not yet realizing what was becoming of him. Then the first murders happened. A family butchered." The captains face is pained, and his eyes are moist at the past memories. "The scene was horrific, parents and children all slain - dismembered, beheaded. I knew in the pit of my stomach who had done it, though I was not ready at that time to acknowledge it."
"Every night then for a week, another family slain with no apparent pattern. There were enough clues though to leave no doubt as to the source."
"The last night we got a anonymous tip. Whoever the source was they either knew or guessed where he'd strike next. We," he pauses a moment, "several of the order, along with three members of the council of seven, and a dozen city guards arrived on the bloody scene. Radgar had arrived perhaps just minutes before we did. We were to late to save those in the home but we thought we surely had him. The narrow hallways in the home made surrounding him impossible though and he fled up to the second floor. Still no where for him to run though we moved in on him cautiously. He took us by surprise when he pulled out a scroll and used it to teleport away."
"We were all fools not to have seen it. His wife," Captain Izash takes a deep breath, "was an accomplished practitioner of the arcane. She studied under the tower for several years before the two met. It should have come as no surprise to us that he learned from her at least a little of the arcane. Now whether he actually has a talent for the arts, or just enough understanding to work items or devices of magical nature I can't be certain, though he was never seen practicing it personally."
The captain reaches behind him to grab the box from his desk. He stares into it for a moment, "These... these are his things he left behind. Or more appropriately these are Ellen's things. Perhaps you may find a clue that have not among them." He hands over the box. Inside are several books stacked together, a jewelry box, a faded robe in the fashion of tower apprentices, and a glass figurine of a couple dancing.
"I've currently twenty five paladins in the city who will lend whatever aid they can. And within two weeks another fifty will have been called back to the city to assist in the hunt. In my honest assessment though I'm not sure a single one of us could stand toe to toe with Radgar. But we will gladly give our lives if doing so means his capture and deserved execution."
Tavrus detects magic on the items.
Nodding Serelina asks, "So as someone who knew Redgar, these new attacks sound like something he could be responsible for? Does he have any living family, friends, or allies you are aware of?"
"Almost certainly. If not, someone else has the sick and twisted idea of using his name to sow fear among the populace, and has adopted his methods of doing so."
One of the books detects as magical, which is not surprising as a casual examination reveals it as a spellbook. It has a moderate aura of abjuration.
The book is protected by a Book Ward spell that has been made permanent.
There are two other books, neither of which gives off any aura. A casual look reveals one to be a research journal. The second appears to be notes on the slave trade in Coran. Both are written in a woman's hand writing.
One of two rings in the jewelry box also detects as magical with a faint aura from the universal school of magic.
The ring is a ring of arcane signets.
A necklace of pair of earrings are also in the jewelry box, none of which give off magical aura's,
"Hmm, the book is protected..."
"If these items are of any use or clue to finding Radgar, I cannot discern how. If you believe they may be of use though please take them. I had at one time hoped they might be returned to their owner, having somehow redeemed himself, but that is a foolish and vain hope. There can be no redemption for the murders he has committed."
Heading in the other direction around the outside passage of the tower and down a flight of stairs. The first door again has a plaque in elvish. Labordy
Laboratory
Pushing the door open reveals a massive room filled with benches and tables. Glass tubes and metal rods are attached to the ceiling and rails allow for moving sets of these implements to different parts of the room. A circular table made of the same stone the tower itself is made of occupies the center of the room. Five oval shaped slots lie along the circumference of the table.
To the south side of the room Master Isul stands at a workbench, a bowl of water sitting on the table. A black raven sits perched on the woman's shoulder. Her hair is starting to gray and her face beginning to show the first signs of aging. She motions you over as she continues with the ritual of casting a scry that she has been busy for some time with.
It is only a short wait before the spell is completed and a view of a male catfolk appears in the bowl. His fur is gray and black striped, with his torso being covered by studded leather. A composite longbow and greatsword are strapped to his back.
Next to him stands a plain looking man who is missing his right arm. One of the mans eyes are crooked, looking off at an odd angle. And on the other side of the catfolk is seductive looking ifrit woman dressed in silks that aren't quite revealing. A composite short bow and cloak are across the ifrit's back.
They are sitting in room that could be part of any home, or back room in a tavern. Occasionally glimpses of others can be seen at the fringes of the scrying. They are in the midst of a conversation with the crippled man speaking. "....procure such an item for you within the hour." He frowns, "Are your friends the type to cause trouble in a situation like this?"
A male voice from outside of the scrying view, raspy, "Please do so. And no, they are not, but it would ease worry from my mind if they were out 'camping' when the invasion happens."
The cripple speaks again, "I suggest you keep on the low down for a day or two, till all eyes are on Gumlat. Then stir up trouble in whatever manner you see fit - stretch the guard thin." He turns to the ifrit woman with a lewd smile, "You are welcome to hide out here for a day or two if you wish".
She responds, "I had made some plans with my concerned friend with the request here, but actually, I might like that suggestion. You must have some stories to tell. If they're good enough, perhaps you and I will have one. Just to be sure you don't disappear first, I'll follow along while you get that trinket for us. Alright?"
Another voice from the side, another male, though this voice is clear and youthful. "Neither you nor I are philanthropists, Hezek. Explain what you get if we whore ourselves out to be common thugs. The watch is populated by decent people trying to do what's right. The mages are our enemy."
Hezek, the cripple, chortles, "Haha, some of them are I suppose. Doesn't change the fact they serve the mages though. And like it or not they stand in the way of bringing the mages down."
"Me though? I want justice. My contact, has their own reasons, I couldn't say what those are. I didn't really much care, so long as I got what I was after."
The catolk stands as do others within the room. A brief glimpse of a half-orc is revealed. The catfolk passes through a room stocked with supplies wilderness survival. Backpacks, trail rations, water flasks, flint and steel and other common adventuring goods, then out the front door of a shop onto a street. The street outside is crowded with people and Master Isul asks, "Have you seen enough? With so many people the chance of someone noticing the scrying is very likely."
Between the shop signs and type and coloration of the cobblestone the catfolk begins passing you recognize the street as being the east end of the Merchant's road.
"That looks like a shop selling survival gear. Do any of you recognize that shop?"
"That is enough... we should not risk detection." Serelina's normally impassive face seems to have a look of genuine concern. "The threat may be greater than we thought... they speak of an actual invasion... stretching the guard thin to accomplish it."
She seems to think for a moment, "Gumlat being mentioned is even more telling... either they have enlisted Redgar in thier cause or they are using his reputation to call our attention in that direction. This conspiracy seems deeper and more dangerous than I had considered."
Master Isul ends the spell and the vision fades, her voice is stern. "I must speak with Master Veray about this information. Plots within plots it seems. Hezek must be found and brought to the question though. Is there anything I can do to aid in this?"
Knowledge Local Check
That's at the east end of Merchant's Road. The cobblestones give it away. The halfling voice is a low growl, grim rage bubbling beneath the surface. Swinging back to Master Isul he asks, Sir, is this happening right now or is it some kind of prior image?
Letting the answer wash over him, Tomlin stared at the wall for a moment. This is what we need to stop Although the other issues were of importance, direct threats to the government itself were paramount. A catfolk also attacked the guard, and may be responsible for the kidnapping. This needs to be our focus. We need to get to this location and see who we can find.
"Looks familiar," Ian says, watching the vision closely, but offering no insight.
After Tomlin speaks...
"Merchant's Road, huh, yeah, thought it looked familiar."
Ian stands straight and sighs, thinking, "Seems odd they got no hard feelings for the guard, I thought everyone did. This mystery gang is talkin' to a criminal gang. That bit about stirring up more trouble? Prolly payin' them to cause us grief. Maybe they're even the ones we were chasin', Anthony's gang and all that. Havin' trouble wrapping my head around all this. Invasion? Hell. In any case, I'm with Tomlin. It'd feel good to knock a door down. Bring back all kind of warm fuzzy memories."
"Agreed... And if these individuals are working with Redgar as it appears, we should set the Mithril Rose upon them. They offered all of their strength in the cause, should it prove necessary. Either way, let us hurry to the location while information may be fresh."
"I agree."
"Borrow horses from the stables to speed your journey", Master Isul offers.
Even at a quick gallop on horseback it is still twenty minutes to get to the east end of the merchants' road. The shop is easy enough to recognize. A large single story building with a sign out front Hezek's Wares. There is no sign of the one armed man, or anyone through the front window, though supplies of rope, back packs, trail rations, climbing gear, and so forth can be seen. There is also a closed door leading into the back rooms.
The merchant's road itself is already crowded with people buying fruits or meat from various street vendors.
Tavrus will take the guise of a young would-be hero . "Maybe we can talk our way in..." Tavrus suggests as they draw nearer to the building. "If not, Edric will be a dear and open the door."
"I'm gonna' take a look around for a back entrance."
Ian heads off down the alley, Bardiche in one hand.
We should see if there any other entrances..., Tomlin started to say just as Ian stated the same. He refrained from finishing his sentence, and instead simply nodded to Ian and waited until the man had picked what side he would start with. Tomlin then proceeded to head around the building from the side opposite Ian.
As he moved away from the road, he took note of entrances, but also unconventional means of access such as chimneys or larger windows. Likewise, he took note of the people around to see where less bystanders may be watching.
Tavrus will lightly knock on the front door and peek in the front window.
As Tavus knocks on the door, Serelina mutters an incantation and images of her begin to shift about her person.
Ian and Tomlin each make their way down a different side of the building till they reach the back. No additional doors are found though several more windows, all shuttered, can be seen.
Tavrus knocks at the front door as Serelina casts her spell, which draws attention from the crowds in the street and almost instantly the press of people parts around her, an empty island of space among the crowds.
It isn't long before the door opens and a man stands there looking out at Tavrus. "Come in, come in." He says, "We are open. What can I help you find?" His clothes are plain, and there is nothing unusual about him.
Through the open door a counter can be see against the east side of the room, and two doors leading elsewhere in the southeast corner, both closed.
"Yes, I am interested in seeing if you have any backpacks that help carry a heavier load, or perhaps a magical bag like this one that can carry many things without getting heavier."
Raising an eyebrow at Tarvus, Serelina concentrates while glaring at the man and says coldly: "We are here on behalf of the Council of Seven investigating the Treason that happened in this building just minutes ago. Keep your hands where I can see them and they may remain attached to your body for the present. Who else is in this building at the moment... and know that untruths will not be tolerated. Further, I strongly suggest that you take no aggressive actions as it will most assuridly prove fatal."
The concentration was Serelina invoking her Misfortune hex on the poor sap. She then is attempting to intimidate him into cooperation: . If the Misfortune is successful, she will be cackling each round to keep it active.
Tavrus raises his hands and backs up against the wall (as if he wasn't with the PCs).
"I just got here! please don't arrest me!"
"We have the finest quality backpacks available. Specially designed to evenly distribute the load..." The mans eyes go wide as Serelina enters the shop, mirror images swirling around her.
His hands are visibly shaking as he speaks, "I... I don't know what you are talking about. I just got here five minutes ago to open the shop." The man swallows.
You feel he is telling the truth, but that if it had been another day or another time he wouldn't have been able to speak those same words honestly.
Serelina laughs grimly with a manic edge, , glaring at the man. "That sounds only partially true... I may get to have some fun with this after all. Both of you! Up against that wall! Tell me now - who else might be in this building. Any surprises will go poorly for you!" He glare deepens as she places her will behind it.
Tomlin had paused near the back of the building as he passed the shuttered windows. It was a generally pleasant day out, and all the blocked windows furthered his suspicions. Keeping to the shadows near a shuttered window in the back , Tomlin glanced around for any onlookers and, seeing none, quietly worked to undo the shutter to gain access.
Ian watches Tomlin's back, keeping an eye out for surprises and listening for movement.
"oh, this day just went to hell." Tavrus says, getting against the wall.
With Serelina glaring at him the man bolts towards the doors at the back of the room. "HEZEK" he calls, part whine, part shout.
Tomlin's first attempt to get the window open is met with failure.
"TOMLIN, IAN! the pale woman shouts, then she recites a spitting incantation, then laughs hideously again.
Initiative
To focused on working the lock Tomlin does not hear the mans cry inside, but he does hear Serelina's shout.
Misty chains wrap around the man as Serelina casts her spell, holding the man fast.
Tomlin cursed softly to himself as his finger just slipped off the latch before opening it. Exhaling to center himself prior to another try, he stopped abruptly as he heard the witch call out. He spared a glance over to Ian to ensure the man heard as well, but then darted from his spot next to the shuttered window around the building back to the front. Keeping to the shadows near the edge of the building, the halfling attempted to stay hidden while not just creeping along. Long, grueling training had enabled him to move quickly under such circumstances and those who could observe him would see Tomlin move at a speed approaching what most halflings could do only while running.
"Shit. I hear yellin'. Think they need help out front."
Ian watches Tomlin race down the alley, then cleaves at the shutters with his Bardiche.