The man listens to you in a corner while the others chatter. "Perhaps we should talk at my home, another day." He says nothing else.
(8,000 gp)
(2,000 gp)
I'll get to the scrolls later...
Total: 18,000 gp
Andrea approaches the smithy where they all had often gathered during their time in Westcrown. There was smoke from the chimney and the sound of hammering inside.
Taking a breath, Andrea pushed open the door.
The previous evening, Orsin leaves the noble manor with a heavy heart. He didn't want to return to the Children of Westcrown and place them in harm's way and the Tilernos certainly didn't deserve to be endangered either. Instead, with the city in chaos and verging on destruction, an abandoned alley would have to be satisfactory.
The bard retrieves the paintings and sets them against the stone walls of the alleyway.
Calling out to the air, he says, "I've done what you asked."
Appear, devil.
Daniel thanks his brother but desides to wait a week for the Mithral Armor and equestrian belt to arrive.
The others can wait, I really do not wish to be unable to defend my allies if we are assaulted from the air again....
When Orsin slips out of the Tilenos manor, he makes his way alone to dark alley, he calls upon his benefactor. A familiar unholy burn wrecks your body as you fall to your knees. "Well done! A skeletal hand begins to drum on your left shoulder, as your infernal contract burns, Garius is making his presence known to you. "My boss is pleased."
"The Mayor's love of murderplays has left him in ruins and the Drovenge family has shuffled it's hierarchy. Your contract is coming to an end." The crippling effects of the infernal contract makes you vomit. "But fret not, your Lord....Geryon has enjoyed what he has witnessed, he'll not call your miserable soul forth - yet."
The devil's barbed tail slithers around your midsection, "Time...tick tock...it is yours for a few moments longer."
The next day Euphemia, Gerard and Andrea head to Phem's apartment as you round the corner you see two children scurrying to a point of cover near the apartment door. They appear to be holding bulging canvass bags.
Daniel you wave to Andrea, Gerard and Phem mentioning you'll catch up with them at Gruums. You notice the bard is not present but don't think much of it as you sit down with your brother to map out house and Walcourt defenses.
Andrea notices the two children along with their possessions. I wouldn't begrudge them for a little foraging but we should make sure they aren't engaging in outright looting. The Dottari and Hellknights don't seem to be in the mood to overlook things like that these days. She looks over at Gerard. Perhaps arrange for them to stay at the mansion?
Orsin gasps, choking for air as the fiery pain wracks his body. He spits the remainder of the vomit hanging at the corner of his lip as he labors to speak.
"I...I'd like to renegotiate the t-t-t-terms of our contract!"
Daniel goes through the motions, discussing shift rotations for the men at Walcourt, but Tilneros was a commander before Daniel had ever touched a sword, Is something concerning you brother? Be it the aspirations of our Rogue ally or the tentative new alliance with these houses. I admit, I am conflicted. Clearly many of the actions we have undertaken these last days are at odds with Westcrani Law. I am neither dottari, nor hell knight. Yet I have to believe Imoedae favors our actions for she was with Me throughout and even allowed me to pull Andrea back from the brink by letting me bear her wounds from a lightning bolt. We a fighting for Good, above the laws of Asmpdeus for now and so I press on. Gerard concerns me. He is a man with a soul and while I would nor dare call him pure he would seem to be a far better alternative. ...I do not know what to do.
The night prior, Euphemia tried to pamper Gerard in every way she safely could, utilizing every limb of her body to give him a deep tissue massage, for example.
"I imagine that you're this tense from all the careful scouting, hm?"
She swoops in with a spinal curve that is much like a sleek rodent's. "You worked very hard today and deserve every moment of rest you get here..."
Andrea notices the two children along with their possessions. I wouldn't begrudge them for a little foraging but we should make sure they aren't engaging in outright looting. The Dottari and Hellknights don't seem to be in the mood to overlook things like that these days. She looks over at Gerard. Perhaps arrange for them to stay at the mansion?
Euphemia nods, but then bounds after the children. She has a face of intensity and her hair animates as she makes chase.
Lord Tilernos responds, "You are growing wise Daniel." he shakes his head, "Gerard is good at heart, he does not concern me. There will ALWAYS be crime and mafia type guilds having that is a given. At least Gerard will not permit unchecked evil, corruption and preying on the weak."
"My concern is gettng the nobles together...I trust not Lord Oberigo but his power and influence dwarfs this house and the Grulios'...combined." He lets those words sink in, "Without his support we will teeter with disaster. Granted you saving him has made him cooperative and he harbors no good feelings for the siblings. For now, his assistance is legitimate and he stands to gain much by the elimination of the new Drovenge leaders. Ultimately, Lord Oberigo is about business and he hold much sway in getting other nobles to assist the cause. With Lord Oberigo, Lord Grulios, our family and the noble homes loyal to us we should be able unite the nobles agaisnt the remaining council."
He pauses, "the Hellknights and Dottari are at odds, I would like you to broker deals...a peace. You are see the Dotari leader, Duxotar Iltus Mhartis...the Mayor's nephew. Beware the power struggle that exists there." he straightens up, "You know the The Order of the Rack, led from Citadel Rivad, are the great unknown right now. This disorder must be having them up in arms. The local chapter is headquarter in the Taranik House you should go see the Paralictor Chard."
Orsin gasps, choking for air as the fiery pain wracks his body. He spits the remainder of the vomit hanging at the corner of his lip as he labors to speak.
"I...I'd like to renegotiate the t-t-t-terms of our contract!"
The barbed tail tightens drawing a few droplets of blood, "Ohh, do tell...what do you have to offer that could entice Lord Geryon?"
One of the kids trips and falls on her face, the contents of her bag spill out onto the rutted cobblestone. A loaf of bread, a small round of chease, and a goats liver. "p...p...pl..please don't hu...hurt me."
Euphemia relaxes and tries to pick her up to right her with her mane.
"Sorry... I had a jar that looked like evaporated milk incompetently stored in my cupboards. I wanted to make sure you didn't have that because it caused vomiting and giggling fits when ingested in large quantities.. Ha..."
The witch grins as Frank saunters over to the little girl and sniffs at her.
"I'll pay for more."
Andrea holds her hand sup. We won't hurt you, remember us? We gave you the copper coins and some food as well. I'm Andrea and his is Euphemia and Gerard. We came back to see how you are doing.
"YOU leave h'r be!" the second child courageously screams.
----
The large brown eyed girl shakes a bit, "We's were told it b'safer 'ere wit bigun's protectin' We's not stealin nut'un.coppers were given by a friend."
A couple other little heads poke out form hiding spots.
Euphemia smiles warmly at the second child.
"It seems that we have a hero in our midst."
If he's close enough, she pats his head with her hair.
"Frank and I agree that this is an admirable quality."
She squeaks to her oldest friend to solidify this.
He probably agreed.
"We are the adults in question. How much did that ground-embracing food cost you?"
She hurriedly shovels the food back into the sack, Fuud's still guud lady. She trembles bit, "9 coppers."
Runt and Missy... where are they? Tell them Phem, Andrea, Frank and Gerard are back.. Gerard waits patiently, half smiling.
The barbed tail tightens drawing a few droplets of blood, "Ohh, do tell...what do you have to offer that could entice Lord Geryon?"
The bard winces as the devil draws blood.
"Th-the souls of Eccardian and Ch-chammady Drovenge...the blood of Hell runs through their veins. Their souls in exchange for mine."
Runt and Missy come out of an alley behind you soon enough. Carrying several bags of food and being followed by a half dozen dirty street urchins, "'ey whuts h'ppen?" Runt squints then a look of recognition comes on his face, "yer back!"
Euphemia removes a silver from her pack and starts to hand it to the little girl when Runt arrives.
"That is a very good observation." she announces, not a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
"Is this all of your number?"
Andrea pats some heads. Yes we are! We have something important to tell you. Andrea leans down. The night beasties are gunna be all gone in a few nights! We made sure that they won't wander the streets anymore. In a week maybe, they will all wander away.
Andrea wags her finger. But the streets are still dangerous with all the riots, so don't go wandering around at night.
Andrea looks at Euphemia. We should get them some blankets so they stay warm.
He shrugs, "More come daily...word travels." You can see several heads, like gophers popping form their holes look up. "Y'said ye make it safe...did ya...the danger is still actin' up 'round town."
We know it there is still a lot of trouble. We are going to try to help stop people from rioting and are going to head to Grumm's to talk to a friend about that.
"Well, this can be a good thing."
She scrunches her face for a second in thought.
Dear Mistress, you are wondering who is actually in charge of these miniature humanoid specimens, are you not? You cannot keep them all.
"It means we can get to know a couple more of you."
They stay near or in your apartment right? Andrea asks Euphemia? I am afraid I don't know where they can stay.
"Then I will find somewhere for them to stay, even if it means I have to go grovel to my brother, a man whom probably knows what buildings are currently vacated but secure!"
That sounds reasonable. We did part of amicable terms since we won him a good amount at the Devildrome.
Lord Tilernos responds, "You are growing wise Daniel." he shakes his head, "Gerard is good at heart, he does not concern me. There will ALWAYS be crime and mafia type guilds having that is a given. At least Gerard will not permit unchecked evil, corruption and preying on the weak."
"My concern is gettng the nobles together...I trust not Lord Oberigo but his power and influence dwarfs this house and the Grulios'...combined." He lets those words sink in, "Without his support we will teeter with disaster. Granted you saving him has made him cooperative and he harbors no good feelings for the siblings. For now, his assistance is legitimate and he stands to gain much by the elimination of the new Drovenge leaders. Ultimately, Lord Oberigo is about business and he hold much sway in getting other nobles to assist the cause. With Lord Oberigo, Lord Grulios, our family and the noble homes loyal to us we should be able unite the nobles agaisnt the remaining council."
He pauses, "the Hellknights and Dottari are at odds, I would like you to broker deals...a peace. You are see the Dotari leader, Duxotar Iltus Mhartis...the Mayor's nephew. Beware the power struggle that exists there." he straightens up, "You know the The Order of the Rack, led from Citadel Rivad, are the great unknown right now. This disorder must be having them up in arms. The local chapter is headquarter in the Taranik House you should go see the Paralictor Chard."
Daniel remains silent a moment. The nature of the task he had not foreseen, but he'd known his brother was going to set him a challenge.
Gambling on me again, Brother? The dottari maybe be unbiased towards me, but sending an Illegitimate half breed son to deal words with the most Rigid faction in Golarion? Who I have no authority over...I will do my best. Imoedae grant me a wise a silver tongue, for I will surely need it.The half orc smiles, a look which only accentuates his more human features and patriarchal looks. One watching the meeting would have no doubt these two were brothers.
I will depart and seek Orsin. I may not have a Silver tongue, but he does and is well regarded among the dottarai at least. I will report back as soon as my business with the factions is concluded.
He clasps his House patriarch about the arm and turns to leave....
Including the six kids following run and Missy, there are a total of eighteen children looking up at you. Thirty five nervous eyes, looking for reassurance. Y'mean we can stay in your 'partment." A small girl with a patch over one eye asks.
Andrea looks at Euphemia. There is my apartment that I haven't gone back to in the longest time. I'll have to get rid of the Glyph but some can stay there since I stay at the Tilneros for the time being.
The girl with the patch tugs at Phem hem, "L..lady, does your rat bite?" She points at Frank. "Bobby Joe tried t'train a rat once wit a stuupid pipe...but it bit h'm and he got h'imself kilt. "
Daniel knows where Orsin's flat is located in the city, you figure he went for changed of clothing at the least. Besides its still a few hours before you were to meet up with everyone at Gruums.
One thing you notice Daniel is there are no Hellknight to be seen in all of your travels. You have also run into both the honest and dishonest Dottari. The dottari do tend to keep a distance from you though, A few of the one who know you give you a quick salute or nod of appreciation. Others simply ignore you are turn away.
perception
sense motive
knowledge nobility
Rusty looks at Gerard and all the blades and asks, "Why don't you use bigger weapons...cause more pain that way. Dang, you carry a lot of knives. Maybe like,,,if you w...wanted to, you could,,,i,,if ya had some time like teach me a few things... stuff fer protecting me self, Missy and well all of those,.,He points to smaller kids that he and his sister have begun to care for. "I' guud with secrets even if pinched, I don't talk."
"My apartment could take a few once I clear out or put up the more potent herbs, but not all of them with any comfort. Of course, there's always the hallway outside, but I would prefer to purchase a larger building with my portion of the treasure."
She is absolutely appalled at the thought of a child dying simply because of a rat bite, but this is Westcrown.
"Frank would never bite you with ill intent! His maw is sterile, too, so even if he did, it would not kill you."
If I am, as you say, incapable of harming these children, why did you amend that so quickly, Mistress? I am genuinely wounded!
With all the hedgehog pitiability he can muster, he wanders over to a child with his adorible, round little eyes, and squeaks.
She has no need to know that I just yelled the words for "carpal joints", does she?
Once all the bodies are cleared out, I think Walcourt would make an excellent home for Gerard and some apprentices.
Andrea examines the girl with a missing eye. Beyond my skill to heal right now unfortunatly.
It's the little girl tugging on your he, her name is Patches.
Missey says "patches that's not a rat,,,that's Frank, he a hedgehog,"
Frank, I left you a little leeway by saying you would not bite them with ill intent. This means you can still defend yourself from pipes.
The witch chitters, but then places a hand under her chin, regarding Patches.
"When did Bobby Joe die?"
Reluctantly she reaches up holding her palm forward for Frank to sniff, then she tries to scratch his chin,*[/b]
THANK YOU. Frank chitters emphatically to Missy, sniffing Patches. Then, he pauses.
Mistress, even if the Encapsulator agrees that joy should be brought at every opportunity, you should refrain from getting giddy at the thought of challenging Pharasma so often. I hope you understand this is a suggestion, but-
It's not a direct affront to Pharasma if I'm not reanimating him as a zombie for excrement and chortles! Euphemia retorts in manic hedgehog.
Bobbo Jo did what was it,,,two full moon before,,,acted strange in a fiery head thrashing and clawing trying to bite everyone,,,he left in the night never to be seen again. found his shoes the next day there was blood everywhere.