Andrea discretly pulls Euphemia over so she is at F-O
Andrea discretly pulls Euphemia over so she is at F-O
Euphemia holds Frank's satchel and one of the other loose hedgehogs in that place like a little girl and tries not to whimper. She's standing in a building that is the anathema of everything she personally represents, after all.
After what seems like an eternity Paralictor Chard comes into the room His cold gray eyes stair intently on each of you, initially he says nothing. He looks as though he has not removed his elaborate armor for days, and his eyes are sunken from lack of sleep, but he does not seem weak or exhausted. He takes measure of those in front of him.
Andrea - CN
Ephempia - CG
Orsin - NG
Gerard - NG
Aurelio - NG
Paralictor Chard. Andrea takes her best diplomatic stance. Thank you for meeting with us, we are acquainted with the Hellknight order through our association with John Deos, Hellknight of the Scourge who stood with us upon the stage during The Six-Fold Trials and also stood with us as we ended the threat of the Red Knives. We come here as concerned citizens of Westcrown who wish to ensure both the city and people no longer suffer the actions of those who bring riots, looting and other crimes for the sake of power.
"Those of that lesser Order are too lenient and forgiving in their beliefs but they do serve a purpose. Whereas the Order of Rack seeks to stamp out the dangerous knowledge and wanton philosophies, clearing society's way of idealistic perils and pitfalls of futility. The Rack's path is of counter-revolution, seeking out potentially destructive knowledge and wasteful idealism, and destroying it before it might do harm." He stares Andrea, "But I'm sure you did not come to discuss the philosophical distinctions between Hellknight Orders."
He motions for the other Hellknights to vacate the room. They do.
“Westcrown is dying. And you… you have taken the law into your own hands and solved problems with methods that I can hardly condone, yet still you have risen to become heroes of this dying city. I won’t begin to claim that I understand how this could have happened, but you are obviously important to saving Westcrown from the chaos that has engulfed it. Either that, or you are the cause of it all. Tell me, what do you see as the solution to this madness?”
We have become aware of two major instigators of various events that have damaged Westcrown. Chammandey and Eccrardian Drovange have set in motion events that led to things such as the explosion at the mayor's mansion and the assassination of Vassindio Drovange in order to destabilize the city and be able to control it when the Chelish navy arrives.
As 'questionable' the actions of the old Council of Thieves was, they did regulate crime in Westcrown so the more violent criminals were disposed of and the businesses and people were not burdened with outrageous 'accident insurance'. This new Council that the Drovange siblings very much appear to be willing to do whatever is needed to achieve control regardless of the harm it does the city, even if Thrune deems that martial law will be imposed.
Andrea sighs. We plan to seek them out and end their schemes. We will lend our aid where needed to protect both people and property of Westcrown and if possible, however unlikely, bring both of the siblings to stand trial for their actions.
He looks at each of the other "heroes," "Any other solutions, you've my attention." He does tend to gaze on the two girls more than the men - almost as if he is studying them.
Pretty sure she knows why she is being stared at, Euphemia holds her hedgehog, cringing. She bites her lip and straightens up after a small amount of deliberation. The encapsulator may bid her to kick these men in the shins, transform a few and run away, but it also needed its champion alive... until a successor could be found, anyway.
"We intend to help the children get off of the streets, too. This would solve some of the more long-term problems, and we have the resources to accomplish this."
"Getting children off the streets reduces petty theft, and mkes the city more sightly." His scarred fingers rub his chin. "Hmmm, resources to back it up you claim." He looks to the others momentarily diverting his suspicious eyes form the females in the group.
"You...Lord Grulios, your family supports this? How is it you came to be associated here, I've not heard name being tied into these street hereos"
My family does indeed support my new companions, I was called back by them from Lastwall in order to help the city.
Frankly if you've got devils burning down parts of the city and kytons butchering merchants in the street my suggestion is to get to the ringleaders as quickly as possible and hang them in the public square. But I'm a soldier, so my solutions are straightforward that way.
Aurelio pointedly does not mention that a clean sweep of the city's leadership who let things get to this point wouldn't be amiss either.
"Orsin Bessatte your reputation does precede you. Would you know anything about that fop, Thesing Umbero Ulvauno, who has gone missing? You two were rivals, were you not?"Orsin it is hard to discern if it's actually a question or a potential accusation.
"You..." The hellknight commander peers at Gerard. "...are a wildcard. What is your take on solving this madness?"
Gerard's voice is even.
It is an immutable law of nature, the order of all things. When a thing is removed or disappears something else must take its place before the balance is disrupted.
The wood of a chair's leg is rotted, if left or removed without being replaced properly... The chair would topple.
"I suspect you know how to replace the rotten wood with a stronger healthy hard wood."
Judging the commander's reaction, he continues.
The Siblings Drovenge, possibly puppets in rival Arch Devil's power-play... The rogue let's the unfinished statement hang.
Well, they seek revolution. They have succeeded within the Council. But, I intend on stopping them... counter-revolution as it were, where it pertains to Westcrown.
With your assistance, Sir. I can replace the old wooden chair leg, putting something in place of the old Council. Re-establish order and deliver you complete success.
The hellknights armor expands as he takes a deep breath comtemplating the words spoken. His facial expression has not revealed a single emotion, the perfect poker face.
"Thesing's gone missing?" Orsin replies, dumbfounded.
"I...I wasn't aware."
"Yes, apparently he missed his latest role about 10 days ago and hasn't been seen since." His eyes focusing on Orsin, then he turns to look at Euphemia.
"Assuming you have secured some financial support from House Tilernos and Grulios, I can see how you have the legal economic means and enough good will to help you get children off the street...Ms. di Nereis. I'm sure your brother Rance can be of some assistance there to. I do believe you have lawful intentions there."
He looks long and hard at Gerard clearly contemplating the words that were spoken. After a long pregnant pause, he responds, "What is this about the Drovenge kids being possible puppets in rival Arch Devil's power-play?" he clearly does not have much respect for the the siblings since he referred them as "kids." "Restoring Order is paramount."
Sidonai Drovange approached the hags of Hagwood, titled The Flies and asked them for a way to have an Infernal heir. The Flies thrugh their magic, took a coin from the acrch-devil Mammon's vault and told Sidonai that if he swallowed it within a day of conceiving a child, that child would be bestowed Infernal power.
However, instead through means we don't quite understand, the child was not Sidonai's but Mammon's. When the child was born with obvious infernal traits, Vassindio Drovange killed the midwifes and housestaff who were involved and exiled Sidonai. Sidonai's wife had died during the childbirth.
Both siblings have been working through the Council of Thieves to achieve control of Westcrown, one step of which was killing their grandfather, attacking the flies in order to destroy information about Eccardian's birth and kidnapping a number of promiant nobles such as Eirtein Oberigo. If the siblings secure their hold on Westcrown, then that benefits the arch-devil that is Eccardian's true father.
He looks at Andrea, "Alright but Mr. Nisroc mentioned rival arch Devil's, who is the the rival" He is genuinely interested in the tale and he is not judgmental.
I believe Mammon would be the rival in this instance. Asmodeus is the offical religon of Cheliax and others are either marganlized or forbidden to openly be practiced.
"Asomodeus may be the 'official' religion but that doesn't stop other wannabes. Mammon is the coin counter of Hell, a trade you could appreciate Andrea, coin is always needed and much power comes with control over the treasury." He takes a deep breath, "Cheliax is a nation filled with greedy bastards and corrupt nobles and thieves, a natural fit for the arch-devil."
"Perhaps with his coffers and control over a greedy city and a valuable port is enough to spur him to action." he shakes his head, "But he is a flee to Asomdeus, easily crushed." he looks around the room, "Seems like there is more to this rival story."
"Perhaps what you say is the ultimate end game." He nods to the group. "Although I've more immediate concerns if that is possible. There are matters directly confronting my order." To your surprise he is speaking freely to you. He explains "There has been a schism in my Order recently — the order closed Citadel Rivad, and worse there has been a the flight of Signifer Verennie and her heretics from his command."
He lets this news sink in. "If these Hellknights could break with tradition, who am I to claim that no Hellknight was involved in the Mhartis assassination? That is the rumor right now that we had the Dottari Commander killed."
“Rather than being able to openly pursue, capture and end this heretic's revolt I've been ordered to 'Hold Taranik and not leave it unguarded until these dangers are past.' I interpret this as me being forbidden to leave the building by my commander. These orders are both a threat and punishment for allowing things to progress as far as they have, and leaves me relatively powerless to address the situation."
He waits for their response.
So a way we can provide aid to you is to track down the Signifier and the heretics and deal with them as needed. Andrea states this as a fact.By doing so it might be possible to put a number of them to the question and learn if they were the ones who were behind the assassination. This is agreeable to me.
"To me as well. And if we find Thesing, we'll make sure he's safe," he admits, grudgingly.
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We found Thesing, Pralictor. Unfortunatly he slipped and fell on Gerard's knife, in the back, tweilve times.
It would seem either way, we're playing at Devil's advocate. I only meant that by Mammon sowing his seed as it were... would create a disruption in the order of things, a disruption which we've all felt the effects of.
But, perhaps I misread things, Sir. I am no expert on the diabolical heirarchy or the politics of Hell on Golarion.
Gerard pauses.
So, are the rumors true?
And... would dealing with this defection secure your blessing if not assistance in matters of the afore mentioned furniture repair?
"As far as the rumors are concerned I don't know anymore. With the heretics split anything is possible. I would appreciate it if you can locate, if possible apprehend the renegades. If they resist swift justice is righteous justice according to our tenets."
Chard looks at the group, 'Strange bedfellows, we've become. I desire order and rotten wood needs to be replaced."
Is there anything else you could tell us by way of a lead? If not, by your leave, Pralictor.
Gerard bows his head graciously.
"I lost track of their whereabouts but the last that I've heard they were using the Gargling Gargoyle but that is old information." he looks over to Orsin, "We haven't had a chance to check out Thesling Tower in the Northern Ruins, if you are looking to see what happened to him here is the address." he jots down where the tower is located.
"You've never seen teh inside of this building let me give you the Commander's tour." He chuckles at his dry sense of humor. "That's a better tour than most people get of the this place." He is sincere in showing your around the place.
"Although I've been directed to stay put, I will beef up some street patrols to help get order on the streets."
Thank you Paralictor, the patrols will be very useful in helping keep order. Are any of the Signifier's possessions still in Taranik House? In the morning, I can aquire blessings that can help me divine the location of a person through their belongings and this can help us aprehend her.
Andrea will accompany Chard on the tour.
"I didn't realize you prayed to Asmodeus." he chuckles as he leads the group on the tour.
Hmm.Hmm... Andrea isn't about to correct him about his assumptions of her faith.
Aurelio will follow along on the tour, making mental notes about the layout of the building.
He doesn't care for Asmodeus or his faith, one of the reasons he was sent to Lastwall as a child, and isn't thirlled about the idea of making nice with a group of Hellknights, particularly ones who have failed to keep order in his hometown.
Gerard wonders is Oberigo's crews or Jarvis would be a good place to start gathering intelligence. As much as he himself may know, he's only one man.
Chard personally leads you on tour of the house. You see a dozen hellknights within the facility, at least in the room that he has shown you. He will eventually lead you down stairs to meet someone...his messenger and back door guard, a goblin guard Jinkoo. He reveals a secret entrance through the sewer. He knocks (E 9)on a door and Jinkoo answers wearing homemade Hellknight armor and carries a large horn on his belt.
After a brief conversation with Jinkoo, Chard turns to the group and states, "Jinkoo will guild you to a sewer exit you are in good hands." He takes his leave thereafter heading back through the secret tunnel into the house proper.
"Me Jinkoo...proud to meet friends of L'rd Chard, the finest leader the Hellknights have had." His speech is actually quite good for a goblin.
Andrea along the tour Cahrd would ahve shown you his small cramped office where he removes a simple requisition order which he hands to you. "This was penned by the Signifier, perhaps this can help you her."
Euphemia still remains deathly silent, spooked by the use of her mother's maiden name.
Andrea smiles as she sees Frank sitting on Orsin's brad shoulder, it seems the leader of the group knows who will give him the best viewpoint.
Looking at Aurelios. Into the sewers again it seems. You arn't a full member of the group until you go sewer diving.
Andrea takes the requisition order. Thank you, a small link but a possible trail to follow.
So shall we head towards the Gargoyle first or try to track down Thesing? Andrea takes out a coin. We could always flip on it.
Aurelio nods at Andrea's words.
We come here to get help controlling a city in chaos, and we end up wading in sewage. Ulthen's going to pay for this, no two ways about it.
Aurelio nods his thanks towards the goblin who shows them out to their dubious exit, Not something I thought I'd ever be doing, and thinks for a moment.
Renegade Hellknights sound like a bigger problem than this Thesing character. And if we can't find them or a clue to their whereabouts we can also go looking for Thesing next.
Agreed. Gerard has his finger on the pulse of the city so he can no doubt find it easily enough. We should scout out the gargoyle to see if they are using it and see if the Signifier is there and then decide if we launch an assult or subdue her and then the other hellknights might then stand down.
"I would worry about rogue hellknights first," Euphemia growls. "However, you should be able to tell by now that I have ulterior motives in that arena."
No doubt you would be very unhappy if you had joined us when we first gathered together over a year ago, since we had a staunch ally in John Deos. In any event, let us get moving.
To everyone's great surprise this area of the sewer is well drained and flows very well. You suspect Jinkoo takes pride in a clean pathway. The goblin leads you to an nearby exit that is well concealed on the stree level. "Hurry ...hurry up you go....hurry hurry up you go."
Gerard knows of the Gargling Gargoyle, it is near the docks, and a hang out for many noble families.
The Gargling Gargoyle is an old tavern, but one that is well loved by Westcrown’s nobility. Known for its seafood and its monster-themed private rooms (each featuring a taxidermic example of the monster the room is named after), the Gargling Gargoyle is a popular watering
hole. The tavern gets its namesake for the large stone gargoyle that looms over the front entrance, its mouth and split tongue cleverly designed to siphon rainfall off to either side of the front stoop to provide a dry area even on the wettest day.