Certainly. I suspect they already know some of what has happened. They are not without their sources.
Agreed, let's be off.
Sona speaks up, "My oaths lie with the tower, but it seems they have rejected for my sacrifice in seeking to fulfill my duties." a bit of anger in her voice. "I will accompany you for now, but I fear what may become of me without the aid of the Tower, and now that my revenge on Nasun is fulfilled I no longer have a singular focus to sustain me."
The group returns to the merchants guild hall to report to Raseb. Sona is asked to wait behind while you report. "You seem to have had a rather eventful night, I've had some mixed reports of a fight occurring in the great library. And this woman you have brought with you, common folk would not recognize her for what she is, but I trust you are well aware of her nature. I am anxious for a more accurate report though, and an explanation of how you came to be working with this woman, Sona."
Issa lets Cormick and Cindy talk about what happened, ready to precise or adds something to their report.
I understand. And when the Tower is ready for you I will go with you. For now I ask that you stay with us, not out of any debt you owe us, but out of friendship.
We have indeed been busy. And our actions have strengthened our ties with the Tower. Sona, an old agent of the Tower, was a victim of a fiend and had been help prisoner and tormented for a very long time. That fiend is now destroyed. The leader of the Tower force wished to destroy Sona, not believing she could be trusted. But we intervened. She seeks redemption and a cure to her condition, If that is possible. But in the mean time perhaps she could work as part of our team. This would give her purpose and her unique skill set would surly be useful.
Cindy goes on to fill in all the details she can remember and finished with the events only guesses at at the Tower and the conversation with the drow on the roof.
Aerin will report on the case of Mr'J hous and that meeting with Miss Kyle.
She will add that she doesn't trust the drow, nor the tower. She will also add the information of the rift withing the thief's guild
Raseb listens closely as the tale is told. "So this drow woman is trying to implicate the tower in the death of the high priest of Abadar? Am I understanding that correctly? With only Master Hast remaining to watch over things at the tower currently is this simply a lie on her part, or a plot laid in advance by another member of the tower? Or an implication of Master Hast himself?"
"Did the towers agents indicate whether they intended to pursue this tiefling, Sul'tak, in Issust Hold? Showing solidarity with the Tower would be particularly prudent at this time I think. If you wish offer to follow up on this potential lead for the Tower, we also have other business you might attend to while in the Hold as well. One of our members there has failed to pay their dues. Normally these matters are easy to straighten out, but we have not received any communication from Ms Dansen. This includes from a courier we sent to deliver and return with a message from her - the courier has not returned within the reasonably expected time frame."
"If not, or if the Tower wishes to follow up on that lead themselves we also have another matter that needs looking into here in Coran itself. I don't know if you recall the name Drail Soyeth? He was one our of lesser members, but was killed when the street war broke out. We now suspect he was likely involved quite deeply with the criminal element, and not merely an unfortunate victim of it. His son Draev traveled from Gumlat to lay claim to the business a while back, and has since been operating the several warehouses he owned in the docks. But a closer examination of facts suggests Drail had no children, or at least none he has ever had put down on record, and an investigation in Gumlat does not turn up any person of record with that name. Draev also has been to busy to meet with me personally to settle several accounts with the merchants guild."
"As regards Sona, I will trust your judgement on it, but be careful, as I'm sure you will. If there is a cure, the Tower likely has the means to discover it, otherwise her best bet may be to travel outside the kingdom seeking one of the great high priests and pray for divine intervention."
With Aerin's report on Mr Jumai, Raseb frowns slightly. "While it is perfectly within his right to hire whom he pleases for his own protection with or without our permission, usually the merchants keep us apprised of such things to avoid any conflicts with our own guards that we offer in such cases as these. Although the man said Mrs Jumai hired him? Maybe something Mrs Jumai has done without her husbands knowledge? But Thonin Dale... that name sounds familiar."
Reminder of past events
And this
"That does give you another reason to favor Issust Hold rather than staying here in Coran, if you want to deliver Miss Kyle's package for her to Zurak. I do know a little about Zurak, a shrewd businessman, though probably not the most reputable of characters. He is not associated with the guild, prefers to do things on his own in his own way without interference from anyone."
While i have no prove beyond just pure intuition i beleive that Man and Mrs J are old love interest and he was hoping to convince her to leave with him. He isn't leaving until the morrow so there is still time to ask him.
She smiled
That names refers to The Dwarven Hold of Thonin Dale. Primarily known for their armor and weaponsmiths. A few such blades and armors crafted by them still exist with the clan emblem on them, but the whereabouts of the clan are unknown, believed to be lost since the hold was taken over by goblins a while back. He probably one of the last survivor of that ancient clan.
she continues
I would be very suspicious of everyone coming in from Grumlat, Remember that is was taken over by the Franc with demonic allies provided by the Drow in an overall plan to destabilize coran for land grab. So he could be a spy for anyone really. I would hate for a "Lyeta" repeat
she looks at the rest of the team
Don't know atm what is the most urgent and important things to go after
The agents of the tower and currently favorably disposed towards us. That has not always been the case and is worth maintaining if possible. I recommend we offer our assistance in following up on the lead you mention. Its worth doing on it own right but if we can get more good will out of it from the Tower more the better. She considers. Perhaps we can make out offer to the Tower agents, and since they are busy at the moment, we could look into this Draev Soyeth situation. It might be resolved quickly.
The way i see it is that the council can send us to the Hold to take care of the many things to be done there. Meanwhile a team of other agents can do some surveillance of Draev Soyeth for the moment, and see if our team is required to do some deeper investigation upon our return. Also we can go and have a first look at him since we still have most of the night to ourselves she continues with a smile
"It sounds as though we have a plan going forward then. I'll find someone to look into Drail and do a little more investigation there."
"Thonin Dale, yes I recall a little about it now. A somewhat secretive dwarven clan if memory serves. You believe the passages you entered in the Chaggath spine were a part of Thonin Dale, or connected to it then? I missed that detail previously I guess. That may be worthy of further investigation at some point in the future."
"Also, before I forget, Mister di Alkanov sent this." he points to a small chest. "He's had that new ship you acquired for him running between here and Ioso for several weeks now. Said this was to cover your share for this last month, and a couple months advance as well."
"Is there anything else you need from me before you speak with the Tower about investigating Sul'tak?"
Raseb sends a message late that morning, "There is a boat departing for the Hold this evening that I have arranged passage for you."
if we are leaving this evening then i shall meet you at the ship she says before leaving the group
The journey to Issust Hold is uneventful. The ship pulls into port late morning of the third day.
The port is busy with crews loading and unloading ships. And unlike the largely human population of Coran, the workers here represent a wide swath of humanoid creatures. Dwarves, gnomes, tieflings, ifrit, undines, and half-orcs.
Another contrast between here and Coran, all are wearing armor of some type or another, though mostly leather, there a few guards standing at the docks in breastplates - which can't be comfortable in the humid heat. And unlike the simple daggers carried by some of the dock workers in Coran, all here carry larger weapons with them. Scimitars, short and long swords, flails and so forth. Including some more exotic weapons like starknives, klars, and scizore.
The faces are grim and unfriendly, though largely no one pays any attention to the group.
During the voyage Cindy will have enough time to complete the addition of another enchantment to her mask.
She adds the Cyclops Helm enchantment to her mask. This lets her choose a die roll once a day instead of rolling it. Cost is 3/4 for new enchants so 4200 in this case.
As Cindy exits the ship withe Mage Armor already cast. She wears the guise of an average build half orc male sailor wearing studded leather armor. She tries not to draw much attention to herself and watches for trouble.
Aerin take to heart the sea voyage and is a rather good companion as she spends most of her time on the deck.
As she exit the ship in her normal appearance she walks her head held high but eyes ever at the ready should someone look for trouble.
I believe we should look for that fellow Zurak and deliver the package first thing in the morning after we spend our first day after we get some temperature and news of what is going on here. don't you think ?
I agree. It's our main mission here.
Let's go find Zurak and then look around.
The group heads away from the walled port, crossing the relatively short distance across the open desert to the main body of Issust Hold. A walled settlement about a large hole in the rock that descends over 200'.
While there are a few ramshackle huts and taverns around the edges of the hole, ladders descend into it leading to various shelves, both natural and man made, the circle the hole from top to bottom.
Most make their home in caverns and nooks that can be reached from the many shelves in the rock. At the bottom, in the center is a magical cistern that provides fresh water to the inhabitants of the Hold. The cistern never empties of water, and whatever magic produces the endless supply of water also insures it remains clean and fresh.
Old stories tell of times when enemies have tried to poison the cistern, or taint the water, yet as soon as such contaminants touched the water they were purified.
Zurak's mining operation is easy to find by the pendants with his symbol hanging in front of a passage that extends north from the bottom of the hole. A dozen dwarven guards stand out front of the entrance.
Cindy assumes the role of a guard herself and stands alert and near the Issa and Cormick but says nothing.
Cormick asks around for a reputable place to stay in Issust Hold.
Once at the establishment, he will spend a few hours listening to rummors and getting the lay of the land. He will spend 10gp on food and drink, and another 20gp in bribes.
A man who identifies himself as working with Miss Kyle hands over a small but heavy metal box. There does not appear to be any seams, or means of opening it. "Don't tamper with it. Doing so may spoil the contents." He also hands over the initial payment amount.
Cormick has no trouble finding a more reputable place to stay in one of the middle levels. Despite rock floors and walls, fine tapestries, cushioned chairs, and smokeless light sources make for a comfortable accommodations.
Aerin will listen in for the most recent rumor and news relating to the hold
Aerin doesn't pick up much in the way of rumors, but Cormick has better luck.
Issust Hold lies at the northern end of The Endless Desert. A barren land filled with rocky protrusions to break up the blistering golden sand. There are nomadic tribes that live in the desert, which frequently skirmish with one another, and often trade with the Hold. All of that is common knowledge though.
Of greater interest, once Cormick was loosened a few tongues, is that something is going on out there. A small band of soldiers, led by several men who had come down from Coran under orders of the tower, have been doing scouting missions and forays into the desert. The older solider Comrick is talking to leans in close to whisper, "I was sent back because of heat sickness, but there was two nomadic camps we found, the tribe slaughtered, and the place looted. Mister Tomlin went over everything thoroughly, and says it was a raiding party of giants. And I don't doubt it - they covered their tracks well around the camps, but a distance away we found a couple of large footprints that hadn't been obscured."
"Crimes been down in the Hold of late. Odd really, normally there is some kind of ruckus with the guards almost every day it seems. Course they've all been paid off, so not that it matters much, but they still make the ruckus to make a show of caring about the poor citizens of the Hold. But for the last month I don't think there has been more than 2 or 3 incidents per week."
"Somethings strange has been going on by the port the last few nights." says an old retired sailor. "I watch the ships leaving at the close a day and think about the good 'ol days I was fit to be at sea. Normally the ships all light their lanterns as the sun sets, but every few nights there has been one ship that doesn't light 'em till darkness sets in. And if I judge it right, when they do light 'em up, they ain't nearly as far underway as they ought to be. I think they be stopping for something out there under the cover of darkness."
Comrmick let's his friends know what he has learned and spends the rest of the evening enjoying himself with the local patrons, even offer some entertainment with his flute and telling tales of Coran, using his dancing lights to set various moods.
looks like this place is getting its fair share of stuff possibly happening she smiles
Cormick earns gold coins for his performance.
Let us head to Zurak's this morning."
works for me
Well rested, the group heads to Zuraks mining operation, the small heavy metal box tucked away and hidden.
Dwarves hustle about the entrance to the Zurak Mining operation. Pulley operated lifts taking small loads of rock and ore to the top of the pit.
A doorway to the left with several guards standing before it suggests a location to find someone of authority.
That way I believe. Cindy indicates the doorway.
Cormick heads off in the direction of the door and guards.
"Greetings, I am Cormick Egerton of the Coran Egertons. I have business with the Zurak Mining company, in particular Mr. Zurak. Would you be so kind to see if he is available to meet with us. Thank you."
Issa stays behind, silent for now but wary of anything that he could call "suspicious".
At Cormicks introduction, the guards wave him inside.
Inside another dwarf sits behind a low desk covered in a disarray of papers. There is a closed door behind him. After listening to Cormick repeat his purpose.
"Mr Zurak is not currently available. If you can tell me the nature of your business with him I can arrange a time for you to meet, probably tomorrow afternoon."
"We have just arrived yesterday, and have been entrusted with delivering a package to Mr Zurak personally, from a Miss Kyle of Coran."
Cindy enters the room and looks about.
Issa follows, leaving Innulamane outside.
Again, he stays silent but looks around, suspicious of anything.
Aerin just waits calmly
Aerin and Issa follow Cormick inside.
The room is sparsely furnished, but what is there shows signs of prosperity according to dwarven standards and customs.
"A package from Miss Kyle? Very well, if you don't mind waiting for a bit, Zurak has meetings most of the day, but I expect him to take a brief break here shortly."
There is a slight note of irritation at mention of Miss Kyle.
After about 20 minutes two dwarves come through the back door, both richly dressed, scowls on their faces. One has a battle axe swinging from his hip, and the sound of chain mail tinkles as he moves, though a thick shirt covers the armor.
The first glances toward the group, then asks the dwarf at the desk, "What do you got for me Dak?"
"These good folk have come to deliver a package from Miss Kyle."
Zurak, no doubt it is him, scowls even deeper. "Well, let's hand it over then." His companion with the axe walks forward and holds out a hand. There is no friendliness to his voice.
Cormick retrieves the package and hands places it in the hands of the waiting dwarf.
"Will there be any response for Miss Kyle?"
"Hah" the dwarf gives a grim bark of a laugh. "I'm not sure what she has sent me, and not sure if I want to find out. So that remains to be seen."
"Let talk for a moment though if you can?"
"What can you tell me about Miss Kyle? How well do you know her? Did she give any indication why she wished to send me a package?"
"I have only meet Miss Kylie once, though she prefers Ky from her friends. Seems to be a very shrewd woman, and will seize an opportunity when it presents itself. Like our delivery of this package, when she found out I had other business in Issust Hold."
"She paid handsomely for our service and only had a few instructions. The package needs to delivered quickly, tampering with the package could spoil the contents, and it was to be delivered to you. Beyond that I don't know any more about the package or Miss Ky."
"It seems we are on an even footing then, and both in the dark. I likewise have only met her once and agree with your assessment of her. I met her a year ago when visiting in Coran. She sought me out... ostensibly for the purpose of purchasing a mithral shirt, which I was happy to sell her. But I have since received two packages from her - this will be the third."
"If, after I open this, I have a return message, is there a place I can find you?"