Leo prepares Speak with Dead in one of his empty 3rd level slots and goes to question the corpse of the officer of the guard post that attacked him and Rilumin yesterday.
Assuming it works, Leo asks the first of his 3 questions.
"Why did you order your men to attack us yesterday?"
Roland's disguised face takes on a worried look. How could this Bannali disrupt our plans? The Mages seem to think he's on our side. If we escaped, would you know where to find him? Maybe he could be persuaded to assist us. Roland let a sense of hopefulness rise in his voice at the thought. He then paused for a moment. Other cells! Maybe they knew about The Crow, but if we can get in touch with one of the other cells maybe they can help us once we are out. Would you know how to contact them? Still the hopeful tone in his voice, and another pause. Red Stone...Isstus Hold. OK, that might work. But is there any one here locally on this Red Stone project that could help us. We need to rally whomever we can. And what is that project anyway? Is there any ability there that could be used against these damnable Mages once we are out? This may be our chance to act if whatever is going on in Gumlat is as serious as it sounds. What IS going on in Gumlat? Banmor said it is the key, but we are supposed to do as much damage here in Coran. One more pause, with a thoughtful, inward and hopeful look. If Digger's plan works, we may need to act quickly once we are out!
"Oh, Bannali has no love for the mages. Whatever he is doing here they won't like. He was banished like my fellows. But his plans will have no care for who else might be hurt. And hurting innocents will not help our cause. It needs to be clear that we have no association with him."
As Roland presses Hezek with more questions the mans eyes narrow and his lips draw into a thin line, several veins bursting from his temple.
"You invaded what was entrusted to us."
"Who was the man who left the guard post immediately before you attacked us?"
Back at the group, Roland will relay everything Hezek told him. He's a wily one, and rather oblique when he does talk, but there are a few leads. He may respond better at this point to a...sterner approach rather than subterfuge. Roland thought for a moment. I do wonder about this "red stone" project. It definitely is NOT in Issust Hold, but where else is there "red stone". A mine of some kind perhaps?
Watching the dead man speak with arcane detachment, Serelina suggests, "Leo, ask him who told him to attack us..."
"Nikado wanted you dead."
The great cliffs that border the northern edge of the city are primarily of red rock, save for a single white scar near the center of them. There are several quarries along the base of the cliffs that provide to various building projects through out the city and nearby areas. There is also one small mine that has been in operation for about ten years, following a copper vein.
Ian thinks for a moment, in answer to Roland. "The cliffs up north are all red rock, and there's the old copper mine there. That's all I can think of," he shrugs.
At the body-questioning, Ian waits outside.
Roland had approached Ian first as he re-joined the grip following his interlude with Hezek. I don't suppose "red stone" in the context of the city means anything to you, does it? Roland's wide smile showed his appreciation at the ex-guardsman's answer. Well, I may just know where we might go this afternoon! Is the séance going on inside? Perhaps I'll take a gander. Understanding Ian squeamishness about such things, the aasimar quietly entered the room just in time to hear the last answer. He kept silent for a moment, until he could help but ask the obvious question. So...whose Nikado?
Leo turns when Roland enters. "No idea... I don't remember seeing the name in Tomlin's journal." ()
He looks between all gathered allies, waiting to ask the third question until there is a consensus with what to ask last.
"The first question was overly cryptic. The deceased has left a stubborn imprint behind... It might be that, since their post was so close to the brothel that they were paid to keep an eye on it, in which case they are in the pocket of The Mistress as that was her operation. The second implies the man Rilumin saw was this Nikado and gave orders to attack us for either the first reason (meaning he also works for the mistress) or we are misinterpreting the first question and there is a different thing beside the brothel that we invaded, maybe something regarding the rebellion?"
Leo holds out his hands, palms up as if carrying something in each. He weighs them up and down like the platforms of a scale. "Either we ask about Nikado, or we ask about what was entrusted to them, what we invaded. If they're in the pocket of The Mistress, either way I don't think we've learned anything. Either the corpse..."
Leo hesitates, blanching slightly from remembering that HE made this corpse. The rest of you would see this as uncharacteristic of Leo, who is usually very comfortable around corpses, as if they were just part of the scenery. Around THIS corpse, however, he seems agitated, like he doesn't want to full turn his back on the thing, or face it directly.
Leo masters himself and continues.
"Either the corpse answers that Nikado is his mistresses servant or something more or less helpful, or he answers that the brothel was entrusted to him. Neither is particularly helpful or surprising. If this is the case, I think we ask him a different question in general, like where can we find Nikado."
He then lets one hand lower while raising the other. "But if they DON'T work for the Thieves Guild, if they are in someone elses' pocket, then asking who Nikado is is probably the least helpful answer we can ask. 'What was entrusted to you that we invaded' might give us some more information, but maybe nothing actionable. If we're lucky, we'll get a location to investigate."
He raises both hands at the same time. "In EITHER case, we know this Nikado needs our boots outside of his door, whoever he is and whomever he works for. I think the most actionable question would be 'Where can Nikado be found', or something along that wording. This vessel isn't very helpful, so it might be important to phrase this properly."
His concerns voices, Leo looks to the others for input.
At several moments during Leo's explanation, Roland looked ready to speak up, but at the end just smiled. Seems you have the right of it! I agree, "Where can Nikado be found" is the best last question.
Serelina nods in agreement.
"Nikado stays in the red painted home near the guardhouse."
"What do you think..?" Leo says, turning back to the others as the corpse goes still, smiling tentatively. "Think Mister Nikado is still in? He may have fled when the guard post was taken, or worse yet, set a trap. Rilumin might have seen this guy, so maybe we should scout it out?"
"Great, let's grab the cunt."
Ian was leaning in the doorway, arms crossed and watching the scene coldly. "I'm never shy of being first inside, best way to deal with traps is to spring them with somethin' that can take a hit."
"And I can make sure no one leaves, at least not through the back door."
Roland folded his arms and smiles. Then it is decided! I suggest that Leo and myself scout the exterior of the building in disguise. Rilumin is right, we want no one wriggling out other exits. Once we know the lay of the land we can decide how we go in. After we complete this little round-up, I would very much like the visit these red stone mines in the city and see what is what.
Ian will hang out around front, waiting for the signal to kick the door in.
"I'll scout the surroundings so we know what we are getting into." Rilumin says quietly, before drawing up his mask and heading into the shadows of a nearby alleyway.
Rilumin will do some reconnaissance, first circling the place at 75ft distance and then at 25ft distance.
Leaving the Tower to head back to the slums, the group is interrupted only a few hundred feet from the Tower. The same young boy that brought a message to Ian the other night comes running up, nearly out of breath. He looks at Ian, breathing heavily. "Miss Elsa.... says he's... says he's here sir. And to please come."
Ian hurriedly pays the kid then looks to Roland, "Shit, what do we do?"
Roland frowned as the boy approached and spoke. Same lad as last time? Roland asked Ian rhetorically at almost simultaneous moment the ex-guardsman asked his question. The aasimar paused for a moment, glancing at his companions, before stating. I say we move on to Nikado's house. This Elsa is no one we particularly cherish and she would not seem to be in any danger from her own. Therefore, it is either a trick or can wait until the planned meeting tonight. Personally, I see our current roster of tasks as a fair sum more relevant. An unknown man who wants us personally dead and is buying off guards. A red stone mine that may have leads to the group pulling the Gumlat shenanigans. The very crew that killed Torenest. After that, we can deal with the least of these concerns, the pesh trade. Come, let us move on with our day!
Leo nods, agreeing with Roland.
Ignoring the message from the boy, the group heads on to find Nikado's home.
The streets outside are packed with people, mostly the poor and downtrodden. While crowds hamper movement, it also makes it easy to circle around the house to take a look at it from all directions.
It is one of the larger homes in the area, which isn't saying much. A single story home with windows on each side. The shutters are closed on all of them though. There is both a front and back door.
A young girl sits on the front porch playing with a rag doll. Her left leg is twisted at an odd angle. She occasionally moves about, and is clearly a cripple.
Catching sight of the crowd around the house from a bit of a distance, Roland led the party away from the area for a moment. Would suggest we modify disguises a bit for this one, he said with an eye towards Leo. With that he changed his own appearance to that of an older, grizzled human male who had likely seen more than his share of the streets. Name's Varner, ya savvy? he asked before laughing a moment at himself. Recommend that Leo, Ian and myself come in the front, with Bellafini and Rilumin keeping an eye on the back door. All agreed?
After Leo had a chance to alter his disguise, the two groups broke off and scouted the perimeter of the place without acknowledging each other. Roland approached the front door with Ian and Leo, stopping at the front step where the crippled girl played. Ga' day ta you, young lady! I's be lookin' for Nikado, he home today?
Leo disguises himself appropriately, as an unofficial seeming young man who looks less weathered than Roland's disguise, but on the same path. "Ay, Varner. Ya don't need ta spell it out fer Ulgus." he responds and cleans some wax out of his ear with his pinkey finger.
Leo will cast detect magic on himself before approaching the house, and while Roland speaks to the child, Leo will attempt to scan her for magic, getting as much information out of her (if she has any) as he can.
Ian nods, acknowledging Roland's plan and walking up with him. After Roland asks about Nikado, Ian gives the girl a coin. "We're grateful for any help."
You detect no magic on the girl.
The girl stands up and heads over to the front door. "Yessir, pa's home." she says politely.
She opens the door and calls inside, "Pa, some men here to see you."
A thin man in plain clothes appears in the doorway and looks over the three men. His eyes in particular scan over Ian's armor and clothing. "What can I help you with?" he sighs, as though already knowing the answer.
Shifting detect magic onto him.
Ian sets his hand on the hilt of his sword, staring down the thin man.
Seeing the acknowledgement in the man's eye, Roland says, We's jus' got some business to discuss. No need to disturb the little lady here. Why don't the four o' us jus' go inside and chat a moment, ya? The aasimar kept an eye out for any sudden movements or other unexpected actions. He also glanced into the house to see if anyone else was present.
Serelina nods silently allowing Roland to take the lead here.
"Ok. Sure, come on in." he holds open the door to let the three inside. "Les. Stay out here for a moment okay?" he says to the young girl.
The man slumps into a chair and gestures towards several others around a small table. "Have a seat."
Ian stands, saying nothing.
Noting that Ian was admirably holding down the intimidation role in this interaction, Roland ambled over to one the offered chairs, turned it backward and sat down facing the man. He kept a leisurely appearance, but was careful to note the windows and doors in the house as well as indicators of any other occupants. Jus' you and the girl here? he asked casually. He waited a moment for the man to answer before going on. Now Nikado, why you suppose we're here, eh?
Now we all know 'bout that 'lil stunt with the guards down by The Wailing Spirits. Those poor boys didn't even live long enough to enjoy them there coins you gave 'em! So ya know that puts you squarely in the sights 'o some unfriendly people. But I have some good news. I have it on good authority that the Tower jus' might be willin' ta help ya if you's was willin' to tell us ALL about who you's be workin' for. But careful now. Any games and this here deal be off, and things jus' might get ugly. What say ya?