Kaul seems eager to head to Gentlemen John's - pacing with a sly grin...
Noting Kaul's eagerness for Dibbets to get wasted the filthy halfling warns off "Nei man, we should see tae LeFevvy afore I gets b@!@#$$sed... seekin salty's likely tae put me out o' tha half-useful nature I usually got least till I takes a decent nap. We see tha money, then sniff tha honey... or summat"
After Dibbets puts the kibosh on any immediate plans to alter his state, the crew head to their rendezvous at the Gilt Club. Once again the door is answered by Navin and the tall doorman bids them enter. The club is much busier with the midday leisure of the well-known and well-to-do. Conversation lulls as more than on eyebrow or nose is raised at the entrance of the uncouth crew. Navin skillfully guides the freebooters to a small side chamber and invites them to wait just a moment while Mr. LeFevre is informed of their return.
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Dingus stares back and flips his multicolored boa in distaste at their judgmental looks. He is resplendent in shimmering Black long shirt (Dress), with long pink leggings, and platform sandals that make him almost as tall as Kaul... which cause him to stumble a bit on entrance marring his otherwise artful entrance. He quickly grabs Navin, and places a brief "air kiss" on both cheeks before following him to the side chamber.
Dibbets stumps his way through the ne'er-do-wells and stiff upper-lippers with a relative scowl on his face. As Navin deposits them he raises an eyebrow and queries "Any chance o' a snifter tae make the waitin go quick like?"
Figuring most of the clubbers are eyeballing Dingus's fabulous fashion sense, Corliss lingers a bit at the entrance of the side room in the off-chance that he'll spy a familiar face amongst the rich folk.
Navin handles Dingus' airs with aplomb being very familiar with continental courtesies. Corliss isn't all that familiar with the upper strata of Freeport, but he does recognize Rickard Burbage, the highly esteemed actor. No one else rings any bells. Navin gives Dibbets a nod, but returns promptly with Millant LeFevre. The unnaturally youthful appearing elf looks curiously at the crew. "Have you discovered something?" he asks.
Kaul's beady eyes glitter from his scarred brow at LeFevre's question and he chuckles dryly;
"Hur-hur-hurrrr. Ye could say we 'ave. O' what consequence an' commercial valuations is the question..."
Jim smiles tightly. "Quite a lot, as it happens. The one who called forth the creatures who killed your servant, among others, is dead."
The Taldan watches LeFevre closely for his reaction to both Kaul's comment and his own news.
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Comforted by the potential of alcohol provided in the near future, Dibbets is relaxed as Millant arrives. He doesn't dive to avarice in the same manner as Kaul, and respects Madman's slow play of the crew's findings. Stretching his spine he scratches idly at some encrusted substance on his stomach.
Your patron looks suitable impressed. "That was fast. Were the murders and the blackmail linked then? How? And what do you mean by creatures?" Jim senses nothing but the surprise and curiosity reflected by the questions.
Dibbets fills the silence with talk of the creatures "Burnt deaders an a roight tough bugger that steals peoples tongues an' talks like em. The deaders are proper dead now... but the tuey is still onna loose."
Jim adds, "Those deaders were what I've heard called juju zombies--walking dead that keep their living minds. The man making them was a priest of the Reaper of Reputation."
Corliss tries to read LeFevre's reaction when Jim mentions one of Norgorber's monikers.
The elegant elf stares at Dibbets not really comprehending until Jim explains. "Reaper... my man mentioned that the neighbor yelled something about reapers when you were investigating Jarvis' murder. I didn't think he was referring to some Norgorber cultist." He notes Corliss' suspicious look. "Of course I know who Norgorber is. I've been around since before your great-grandfather at least. So you're saying this cultist was using living dead to murder our trusted servants and then this tongue-stealer stole their secrets?"
"Not quite...he'd use his magic on the bodies of your trusted servants and make them into living dead under his control, I think."
Millent nods. "Do you have any evidence?"
Leaning over Dibbs sticks a hand into Kaul's voluminous pocket and produces the original masked up book of 'orrible nonsense... eyeing Millant's reaction carefully.
Navin has left the room, but Millant's expression is one of genuine curiosity when he sees the book. "The secrets this necromancer learned are recorded in this book?" The crew sense no ulterior motives.
Kaul leers a greedy grin at the noble's interest in the necrotic notebook;
"Hur. Could well be. Lots o' expensive secrets we reckons..."
"I would expect so. May I? So now we must speak of your fee. What is it that you desire?"
Dingus enjoys refreshment, and keeps an eye on the proceedings ready to correct any misconceptions.
Dibbets tosses the book underhand towards Millant, after first garnering his attention so it wasn't unexpected. He adds some words for good measure "Reckon the reckonin' o' that should be in yer corner eh?"
The deft eft catches the book easily and failing to open it, flips it over a couple times and then looks at Dibbets questioningly. "Is there a key?"
With a start Dibbets taps the side of his noggin "Sorry, fergot that bit... go tracey tracey round tha spiral" making the motion with one finger on the opposite palm.
Millant follows directions and opens the book. He flips through it before settling on a page toward the end. He reads, frowns, and closes the book. "Hmmm, need I say that this book of secrets remains secret? I am satisfied that you have done as you said. Now, what would you ask of me?"
Repeating himself Dibbets re-proposes "Like I said... better iffin ye gi' us a word on what ye reckons our service is worth like... rather than us scratchin a number frae nowhere like."
Your host nods, considering. "I believe that you all had some interest in what was behind the bar. Perhaps you would be interested in a bottle of some exotic draught. It would be worth a small fortune were you to sell it, but you seem the type to value experience over coin."
Corliss, who'd been happy letting the others speak for him, tries to get Jim's attention while surreptitiously shaking his head while frowning.
Kaul eyes the bookish elf, then the bar...
Feckin' long ear is selling us short! The lads need me to step up as the savvy o' the crew
He scowls as the cogs turn...
"Hur. A bottle each?"
Jim holds up a hand. "Wait a moment. While fine drink is always welcome, the priest had other secrets than yours. Seems to me that some of your friends also owe us. Unless you're planning to hold yon book over their heads as well, in which case it's all the more valuable to you."
Your patron smiles faintly. "We have established that the book is valuable and I have made an offer. No one else is party to our arrangement. I've only heard one counteroffer and I would perhaps be amenable to it depending on which rare substances are involved."
Cutting the tense atmosphere with a snort to make some mobile sludge retreat back up his nostril Dibbs leads with a "Scuse... well, iffin ye ken recommends summat that'll hit me hard enough tae cleave me spirit frae body an set me dancin I'd be fine wi' it. Some sorta Shoanti spirit water or tha like"
Jim shakes his head, grinning. "Aye, that's a fine thing for you, mate. From you, Master Millant, I'll go easy on your potables and your pocketbook. There's a name you'll find in your perusal of yon text: the Spider. I'd like to know if you've heard the like, and if so what you've heard. Further, if you should happen across anything about this Spider in your future dealings, I'd like to know of that as well."
Millant peers curiously at Dibbets. "Shoanti, you say? We do have a draught from the most savage lands of Varisia- Leng's Tears. It will certainly cleave spirit from body, but the effects can be terrifying. Use very carefully. And I remember the well-dressed young man had a particular interest in bloodwine. Navin, bring a gill for each."
He turns to Jim, "I will read carefully and pass along anything that I think may be of interest and if there is any other favor you think of later, please ask. I bear some influence in the city."
"So the last two. What will it be?"
"I be but a humble servant o' Besmara an' these fine gents you see before ye," Corliss begins uncertainly. "Mayhaps a trinket what'd help me better serve either o' them?"
Kaul's scarred brow furrows, then he turns his attention toward the fell hatchet at his belt.
"Hur. Right ye are Lopps..."
The brute grins a jagged smile and continues;
"Hur... So ain't nuthin' Ol' Kauly wants... but me ax 'ere... Lopper by name. Fir Lopper we want membership o' yer Gilt Club."
The elf ponders Corilss' request just a moment and nods. "Ah, I believe I actually have a suitable trinket for a servant of the Banshee. I'll have Navin fetch it when he returns."
He also takes Kaul's request in stride, "I think that you would bring some much needed color to the club, sailor. Unfortunately, members are not allowed to bring weapons into the club. Lopper would not be able to accompany you."
Kaul chuckles grimly;
"No weapons? Ol' Kauly is a weapon..! Hur-hur-hur!!!"
He clacks his claw to emphasise the point, then abruptly pauses as he realises Corliss' path might be the canny one;
"... Iffin' Blackboots is gettin' summit, then anything that makes me a better at killin' works fir me. Pulpit bashin' an' spirit quests is all an' fine, but everyone needs someone with bloody hands when push comes to stab..."
Dingus's head swings around and a giant smile splits his face at the mention of the bloodwine. When it is presented he grabs it greedily, and stuffs it carefully into one of his pouches.
"Mine"! He glares at his less fortunate companions.
Dibbets measures the offer and nods an affirmation "I won't sulley yer hand by askin fer a spit shake, but iffin ye's in need o' any more wetwork... keep us in mind eh? We ain't pretty but fer feck we dinnae get tha work sorted like."
The wealthy elfy seems flummoxed by Kaul's request. His speculation is interrupted as Navin returns with small bottles of the selected beverages. Suddenly inspired, he whispers something to Navin and the butler departs again.
He nods distractedly at Dibbets' comments and it is not long before Navin returns with two small tokens. The first is a silver skull coin, the standard currency in Freeport, but it hangs on a tarnished chain and has a black pearl embedded in the center. Upon closer inspection, motion is detected within the pearl as if dark storm clouds swirl inside the tiny globe. "I've been told this is was created by a well-known Besmaran," Milant explains. "It grants the ability to breath water and, I am told, will hold a blessing from the Banshee until it is needed." He hands the token to Corliss.
The second item looks to be a green sphere with a yellow circle on one side. Closer inspection reveals it to be a petrified eye. "I don't have experience with Bloody Hands, but perhaps this will serve you. It's said to be a relic from the hag, Sycorax. You can use it to curse your enemies and perhaps give you an edge." Navin hands it over as Millant seems reluctant to touch the thing.
Kaul scowls at the eye as he accepts it into his iron claw, then grins;
"Hur. Wonder iffin' I can pop it into a vacated socket? Make Ol' Kauly even prettier!"
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Millant shrugs. "If you wish. I am appreciative of your work here and I will keep you in mind should another situation arise. For now-" he gestures to the Book of Secrets, "I will see what has been disclosed and will send a courier to your ship should I recognize anything regarding the spider that you mentioned." He bows his head to Jim.
Jim nods to the man. "'Til next time, then."
Millant nods his good-bye and Navin shows you to the door.