Raven :
"I will not argue with that," Raven agrees. "Well, I suppose all that is left is to wait until they are finished with their little talk so that we, their trusty friends and look-outs, can be on our way to some much deserved relaxation, preferably in a place somewhat more restful than a roof."
"What's wrong with roofs? As long as it's not raining, they're pleasant quiet places with a view. And well out of the stink of the streets."
As an afterthought, he adds with a smile, "I assume asking you to tell me who she really is is probably going too far, yes? Secret identities and all that?"
"That would suppose that I knew, wouldn't it? Would you trust me?" The halfling leers at Raven.
Marius and Waif: Yakopulio watches for a while then interrupts. "Well, if you can show her, you can show me too."
"What's wrong with roofs? As long as it's not raining, they're pleasant quiet places with a view. And well out of the stink of the streets."
"You do have a point there, I will give you that," the elf concurs.
"That would suppose that I knew, wouldn't it? Would you trust me?" The halfling leers at Raven.
Taking a moment to reach a conclusion, Raven finally agrees with a smile. "No, I suppose I would not. No offence meant, of course."
"Well, let us just wait then," the rogue concludes with a soft sigh. "I think I am done with all the questions for now."
Zara: **
"No. Nothing indiscreet. Never anything indiscreet. Good. We may be of use to each other, if you would keep me informed of your activities. I can arrange to have a beggar wait by the corner of your hostelry."
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She returns to her own room, in case she is followed by agents of the Blue Hood (or anyone else, for that matter), so as not to lead anyone to the hideout.
Zara:
Raven: [spoiler] Bluehood blinks out of sight and Zara begins walking away. The halfling nods. "Good. If we meet again, maybe you'll leave the crossbow unloaded and bring those spirits. " He gathers up his goods and slips across the roof to a gable window. "You're welcome to follow me down through the building if you can keep quiet." He eases the window open and slips inside.
Waiting for Zarabeta to move a fair distance away from the bridge, he once again joins her. "How did your little talk go? You might be interested to know that you were not the only one with the common sense to bring along a friend. I happened to meet a rather interesting fellow, a halfling to be more precise, who claimed to be an associate of Bluehood's."
"Forgot to ask him for his name, however," he adds with a shrug of indifference. "He probably would not have been truthful about it even if I had though, I am sure."
Stage reset:
Moonday Arodus 27. A little rest might be in order for those who've been up all night cleaning out the Bastard's hideout and sundry.
Raven has a potential appointment for Wealday (Wednesday) at 3 in the afternoon.
Waif, Marius and Akorian will get answers to queries during the day Moonday.
But not quite yet. First let's hear your plans for the rest of the day.
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Zarabeta thanks Raven, "She seems to have a strong interest in eliminating the shadowbeasts threat to the city, taken an almost personal offense to how they have trapped the citizens in their own homes."
"I wanted to test to see if she was sympathetic to our goals, so I made a fairly obvious comment about how the shadowbeasts seem like a threat that the city guard should be able to deal with readily enough, if they were of the mind, and she politely ignored the comment. If she is of a mind to be more involved in a resistance movement, she is careful enough not to share it with a stranger after a single visit..."
Looking at Raven for signs of injury, "Was her halfling shadow combative?"
After their conversation, Zarabeta intends to return to some of her more traditional daily activities, seeking to use her talents in a more mercantile manner, not because she has any great need for money, but because she does not want to appear to have too suspiciously abandoned her previous line of work and haunts entirely. The use of cantrips to mend small items or restore faded colors may not be glamorous work, but it allows her to maintain the illusion of being just another working craftsmage.
Raven smiles at Zarabeta's question. "No, there was no fighting, although my getting the drop on him probably had something to do with that. All in all, he was a likeable enough fellow, if a little on the untrustworthy side."
"Certainly not like me," he adds with a wink.
Once done with that business, the elf chooses to take a little time to relax and rest, perhaps catch up with his half-elven friend, perhaps some witty exhange of double-entendres and a little dancing. Other than that, he wonders what his companions and he will be finding when they go to that dress rehearsal. A certain matter of spoils is also on the back of his mind. 'Hopefully, Waifrin will have some information on the matter.'
Questions answered:
Akorian: Sclavo meets with you early in the evening after the sourts have closed.
Waif and Marius: Murdock's answers. You must go to him, no rendezvous was arranged.
House Chillarth has taken possession of the property. It is in good repair. The main house has been rebuilt and a new front facade of black marble has been erected.
He's curious if you're planning a job. Just let him know if you need anything.
Waif and Marius: Andros' answers. He is waiting at the Sou's Ear for you in the evenings.
Total losses 70 gp.
He's sure he can find more given time.
...
After their conversation, Zarabeta intends to return to some of her more traditional daily activities, seeking to use her talents in a more mercantile manner, not because she has any great need for money, but because she does not want to appear to have too suspiciously abandoned her previous line of work and haunts entirely. The use of cantrips to mend small items or restore faded colors may not be glamorous work, but it allows her to maintain the illusion of being just another working craftsmage.
Nothing unusual throughout the day. You pull in a few silvers.
"We don't know. It might be, but not a normal job," Waifrin tells Murdock truthfully.
Murdock sulks as if he suspects you may be holding out on him.
***
Plans for Moonday night or will you all take a well-deserved rest?
Plans for Toilday? (Tuesday)
Raven still has his Wealday (Wednesday appointment). OK to fast forward there?
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Zarabeta fritters away whatever silver she has made on a nice meal, and squirrels some away to bring to the hideout as snacks for anyone hanging out there.
While around the town, on the course of work and leisure, she puts her ear to the ground to see if the fate of the Bastards has become common knowledge yet.
If she discovers that rumors are spreading of the brigands rout, she as subtly as possible attempts to discredit notions that the credit does not go to the Dottori or Hellknights, on the chance that the local authorities are attempting to claim responsibility for this occurence...
...
While around the town, on the course of work and leisure, she puts her ear to the ground to see if the fate of the Bastards has become common knowledge yet.
...
If she discovers that rumors are spreading of the brigands rout, she as subtly as possible attempts to discredit notions that the credit does not go to the Dottori or Hellknights, on the chance that the local authorities are attempting to claim responsibility for this occurence...
No news of the Bastards. They didn't have a lot of visitors or social engagements. It may take a while for news to get around.
Waifrin, you've got a day, plenty of time. You'll need to roll to get in without accidentally locking the lock. You going alone?
For Waifrin and those accompanying her:
Going to the Goddon Cottage:
At the cottage, 1:
Waifrin, stepping inside:
At the cottage, 2 if you've stepped inside:
There is a scent of burnt hair and sulphur. A great glowing sphere of heat and flame erupts from a spark at the far end of the room and rushes to engulf anyone who has stepped inside with Waifrin.
Waifrin touch attack .. damage
If you've come along and stepped inside:
Marius touch attack .. damage
Raven touch attack .. damage
Zarabeta touch attack .. damage
DC 15 Reflex Save for half damage.
Waifrin: empty room, hole in floor, corpse in hole.
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"Damn," Waifrin curses. Then she pauses at the sight of the small glittering crystal on the desk. She can feel the resonance between herself and the crystal as it communicates with her silently. Four spindly legs extrude from the crystal and it walks toward her over the desk and then sits on her palm.
"So tell me what happened?" She asks it softly.
The crystal glows warmly in Waifrin's palm, comfortable and soothing. In response to her question, Waifrin feels a sensation of welcome. It is somewhat odd, this emotional response traveling up her arm rather than originating in her mind. Subsequent impressions are transmitted the same way. After the welcome comes a wave of fear rising quickly to panic and then a distinctly physical sensation of heat and pain. The crystal's legs shrink into it's body.
In short it confirms everything you felt upon entering.
Akorian finished the last few pen strokes with his quill before blowing on the ink to dry it and rolling up the scroll. Then, he rang a bell for one of the halfling servants, motioning to the tray of neatly tied missives for delivery, each one destined for one of his noble friends and acquaintances, inviting them to the "Six Trials of Larazod" and extolling the virtues of the newly-reimagined play. A veritable inspiration compared to prior renditions. Something sure to uplift their spirits.
Half of them would come out if only to be seen with the Mayor, of course. But at least a few might be enticed if only because someone with the Henderthane name recommended it to them. Whether they thought to curry favor with his father back in Egorian or House Thrune itself by using his family as a proxy, so be it. Either way, he hoped the play would serve to open everyone's eyes. To remind them of the corruption within the church of Asmodeus and the harm it could cause beneath its iron-shod heel.
The priest leaned back in his upholstered, leather chair and propped his feet on his desk as he traced the symbol of Milani hanging from the chain around his neck. It had been too long since he'd checked in with the Children of Westcrown...and the Heavensent. He hoped Marius hadn't taken the group off in any direct confrontations with the Hellknights. He sensed they were close to making a breakthrough for Westcrown. Arael's little band of rebels and visionaries were starting to make a difference. Only now, it was time to turn the heat up on a different forge.
"With the elimination of the Bastards, we've given them back their peace of mind," he reminded himself, "We still need to make the streets safe. But first, let's start winning the minds of the city's elite and get them dreaming of a world where the Hellknights and Egorian's heavy-handed rule is no longer needed. Sowing the seeds of revolution. One step at a time."
He pulled open a secret drawer in the desk before him and lifted out the mask they'd all worn while rescuing Arael from the Hellknight wagon. There'd be a time to wear it again. But the next mask he put on would be the one he wore in everyday life. The one that let him smile in the face of nobles who'd grown complacent or complicit in Westcrown's fate. They all needed waking up.
He placed the mask back in its hiding place and swept to his feet, straightening his doublet as he went to retrieve a cloak from the coat closet. He left word with the seneschal of his estate that he'd be making a trip into town again, but waved off the suggestion of using the carriage.
"I'll travel swifter if I go alone," he explained, adding a Henderthane blade to his belt for protection. "I should be back in a few hours, or perhaps tomorrow if I stay overnight with some friends. Don't wait up."
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"So she appears when we open this door, and yet is destroyed in the moment," Waifrin ponders the riddle. "Unless she is truly a shade, a repetition. Does she see me at all then? Ahhhh! Perhaps she sees not me but my father?"
Writes carefully on a sheet of parchment:
I know not what disturbs you save that it occurs when I enter. I will return later. If there is ought you would tell me, write it here.
She leaves the paper, ink and pen behind her, but takes the strange crystal with her. Rather than returning directly to the hideout she goes instead to the records office ...
Untrained attempt at the lock:
At the records office she will ask for Gil, the young clerk who helped her before. She is looking for the Goddon family's genealogy to see if she or her parents had any cousins that she knows nothing about.
Waifrin gets the door locked successfully and returns to the Spera.
At the records office Gil is more than happy to help her out. He disappears into the stacks....
Ohh. Regarding cousins you know or not, how old was Waif when the hammer came down?
Good stuff ...
Neil, it's been a day and a half in game. Akorian must really think he needs to keep this crew on a short leash!
I had jumped you guys up an extra level figuring that we were going to skip the play mostly, so don't expect to level any time soon.
Finally, I love the way you're snowed under and just "check back in" with a post that would take me an hour to write.
Gil returns with a list of about 29 people. "These nine are your cousins. And these others are you mother's and father's. That's it according to the Registry of Births. It may take a while to track them all down. Assuming you want to get in touch with them, that is." He waits with doglike eagerness for your response to his work. He also asks, "Is there anything else I can do for you, Waifrin?"
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"These nine are your cousins. And these others are you mother's and father's. That's it according to the Registry of Births. It may take a while to track them all down. Assuming you want to get in touch with them, that is."
"Is there anything else I can do for you, Waifrin?"
"Yes, I would like to find out about where they are now," she smiles. The young man is kind and sweet, and recommended too.
"How about dinner, tonight?" she asks suddenly. "I can't afford the best, and we'll have to find somewhere we can eat before nightfall, but you've been such a help to me I want you to know I'm grateful."
Marius and Hermione spend an 'intimate' afternoon with each other after which he treats her to a decent meal.He is concerned for her well being knowing from her comments that certain unsavoury men are trying to exploit her. He wonders if perhaps she should stop freelancing and take up with a reputable Madame and, as he now knows a reputable Madame, resolves to talk about the girl to Yakapulio.
"These nine are your cousins. And these others are you mother's and father's. That's it according to the Registry of Births. It may take a while to track them all down. Assuming you want to get in touch with them, that is."
"Is there anything else I can do for you, Waifrin?"
"Yes, I would like to find out about where they are now," she smiles. The young man is kind and sweet, and recommended too.
"How about dinner, tonight?" she asks suddenly. "I can't afford the best, and we'll have to find somewhere we can eat before nightfall, but you've been such a help to me I want you to know I'm grateful."
"There's a lot of them. It could take a few days to track all their records down. How quickly do you need them?"
***
Gil smiles and his chest swells up. "Really? Yeah. I'll bet I could get the proctor to let me go a little early. Wait right here." After a few minutes he is back with a broadrimmed hat in one hand. "Let's go."
***
Dinner can go however you like it. Gil is stricken, a condition which leaves him mostly silent, but occasionally spewing breif torrents of words until he looks left and right and shutws up again. Hermione is Hermione.
You've timed it well. Dinner is just winding up as the first bell sounds twenty minutes to curfew.
***
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"There's a lot of them. It could take a few days to track all their records down. How quickly do you need them?"
"There's no urgency, Gil," Waifrin assures him.
She makes a little small-talk as they eat together, not unfamiliar with the effect she has on men. She does broach one subject quietly.
"Look, when you look into it, you might find some things out that are a little ... well, my family fell from grace, Gil, as you may find out. It might not be a good idea to mention my name, you see."
Gil looks confused, but dips his head in agreement. "OK."
A few moments later he's all eager puppydog again and offering to walk Waifrin home.
The sun sets. Night falls.
OK, so straight to rehearsal then?
Teacher is well, although from long acquaintance, you detect that tiny edge to his manner that says there is a "guest" in the house. He mentions that Andros was by yesterday, in fine spirits, wearing a new hat.