"Downstairs! DOWNSTAIRS!" the physician yells in a panicky voice. "The button you found! There's a controller, in the lift! Place the button there and it goes deeper!"
The physician cringes as he averts his eyes, and continues in a softer voice: "I was upset, because I was... scared it'd happen to me, too..."
He cautiously looks back up again. "The doctor and us physicians... There are others... We're just the public face."
In the silence that follows the physician's revelation, you hear the muted sounds of a commotion coming from the first floor.
"We'd better knock him out...stash him away too."
Denario looks quickly for a place suitable to hide a body.
As Denario is searching for a place to hide the body Tural walks up to the man.
"What are you not telling us? Who is down there if you are just the face?"
The physician gives Tural a confused look. "You really don't know what you're up against, do you...?"
"If you go downstairs, you'll find the Lady Andaisin. The Lady's Urgathoa's chosen." There's reverence in the physician's voice as he speaks of the Lady.
The commotion on the first floor grows louder.
"Guess our time here is up. The commotion is growing. If we wanna take a look downstairs we should hurry. Knock this guy out and let's move!"
"I think we should get out of here...we can come back later if we need to, but let Cressida handle this now. I don't think she wants to see us," Baer says, preparing to cast Vanish and, uh...vanish.
"Grab the proof we need and let's go."
Quorthos nods to Baer, sheepishly. "Got one of those for me, Baer? I'm a little low..."
We'll grab the notes and the body and get out of dodge. But first Quorthos performs a coup de grace on the physician.
"What, boy?" Baer grunts not being able to comply. "I can create a nice foggy mist cloud, you might be able to sneak through that. Or maybe there is a window or such..."
"Let's get out of here, they can't have barricaded every door yet, I'll make sure they don't see us."
Tural shakes his head at the physician.
Sounds bad... Really bad...
He makes his way past the beds to join Baer in the escape.
"Let's go, I also have one of those spells ready should we need a second."
After Mavor's knocked the physician out, Allyph casts invisibility on him, Quorthos, and Tural. She then casts vanish on herself, Denario, and Majenko.
"We need to run, my vanish spells won't last long! Back to Lamm's place?"
You head downstairs, where you see Cressida and her guards. The guards are helping all the patients get out of the building, and it's rather easy for you move in the same direction as the crowd and exit the building. Just as you exit the large room, you see Cressida and a few of her guards head toward the stairs.
Once you're outside, Denario and Majenko can barely make it to the nearest alley before the vanish spells run out. Allyph doesn't even make it to the alley before she becomes visible, but luckily none of the guards or other people seem to notice her as she slips into the alley.
You're all able to leave the area without being followed.
While the group convenes in the alley, Mavor speaks up from his invisible form.
"Well now, that was a close call. What do you guys reckon? Cressida will obviously know that it was our work, but will she also come to the same conclusions as we have?"
"I'd reckon we should get in touch with Eries and Girrigz, to seek out that contact of mine. Burahl Narnec, the ratfolk alchemist who has helped us earlier, has his own alchemist lab and should be able to help us find a cure when we hand him these notes. That said, what do you guys think that Physician was talking about? Seems to me there should be a lower level to the building, something we should check out at a later time perhaps?"
"Definitely.
Thought something tells me that the queen's wanting of might have gone up a few steps. We've got to be even more careful."
"This place will probably be guarded by the time we get back. We'll have to talk with Cressida."
Quorthos mentions what the physician said and Tural frowns.
"Yes... He was talking about a lower level to the building. But if the maidens and the physicians were only the puppets of the whole I don't want to know what's down there. We better go in prepared."
You're all able to leave the area without being followed.
Baer chugs along until it is safe, still angry and not really knowing if they succeeded or failed.
"Don't you think it's odd that Cressida got there so quickly? We were there no more than 5 or 10 minutes, right? She must have been in the area...or...more likely, she's found a way to spy on us. Or someone else has. There was no way she should have been there...right? Unless she wanted to catch us?" Baer shakes her head, unsure again what to believe.
"Mavor, you've lived on the streets. You know something of something, right? What game is Cressida playing? If she'd given us a few more minutes, we could have cleared that place completely. Now Lady WhateverHerFace is probably going to get away."
"I'd reckon we should get in touch with Eries and Girrigz, to seek out that contact of mine..."
"We should do that. And rest, like Tural says. We may have to do some research on the other lady that was mentioned. Lady Anteater? Lady Antacid? Lady Andocine? S&&*."
Baer grunts, ready to move on, back to the harrow safehouse.
Tural agrees with Baer. Slowly Tural seems to get smaller and les muscular, more his old self. He looks very tired when following Baer on the errants.
Quorthos is lost in thought on the return trip. After we're safely away, his thoughts tumble out in no particular order.
"We're going to need disguises... I'm sure we're going to be Korvosa Most Wanted after this. One Grey Maiden plus all the patients can identify us."
@Baer: "Yes, it is strange that Cressida got there so quickly... Guards I understand, but she shouldn't have been that close for any reason I can see."
@Mavor: "Yes, going underground makes sense. If your friend can help us decipher these notes, we'll be a step ahead."
"I also need rest, but I fear we are missing our chance to get into the lower level. They'll be fortifying or evacuating as we speak. I only hope they are overconfident and think we're not worth relocating for."
"I'm not sure Baer, maybe she suspected us hitting this location. If that's the case she may have wanted to clean up our mess first before any goons from the Queen or Gray Maidens came up and removed all evidence that was still lying around. That's about all the reason I can think of."
"If we need a place to stay, we could relocate perhaps to the wererat den for one night. Perhaps Burahl will be so kind as to let us stay in his shop for the night, as apparently our hideout in Zellara's old home was discovered as I recall."
Mavor looks to the nearest entrance to the sewers.
"I think we shouldn't waste any time on going underground. Until we're close to Burahl's shop we should stay hidden. Though I suspect if we're able to find a cure and expose the Physicians for what and who they are, people might think twice before turning us in. That is to say, if they've heard of what we've done that is."
You head into the sewers and, after some time, make it to Burahl's shop. You inform Burahl of the notes, which he examines.
"I've been thinking about this Lady Andaisin that the doctor mentioned," muses Quorthos. "I recall some story about a woman, a priestess if I recall, who was the sole survivor when her small town was wiped out in a virulent plague. I think her name was Andaisin, or something like that. I wonder if there's a connection?"
Quorthos tries to recall anything else relevant as he drifts off to sleep. (We will set a watch schedule just in case we were followed.)
"You sure we'll be safe here, Mavor?" Baer asks following along. "If he's a shopkeep, maybe we can sell some of the gear we filched from the physicians?"
If possible, Baer will sell what gear she can.
* * *
"Lady Antraisin? That sounds familiar..." Baer ponders as she finally gets a chance to think.
Know (Local) - Lady Andaisin
Baer rests for the night, happy to take her turn at watch.
The black-furred ratfolk walks around his shop, arranging the orders he got the last day. Some will be picked up, others would warrant housecalls as the people who ordered them were sick with the new plague. Burahl himself was quite lucky that he didn't catch it yet, although being an alchemist himself might also have played a large role in that.
Then his ears twitched and he listened carefully. Sounds by the door... This late at night? He moved quickly behind his counter and grabbed his bomb-girdle. Then waited with a mixture close at hand. When the door was finally opened he began.
"Finest potions availa...Oh it's you again.... Why are you barging in here this late at night with three... five... six people?"
The ratfolk asked before jumping down his stool and moving quickly towards the door to close it.
"Well?"
"I reckon we'll be safe there, as long as we're not seen entering that is. His shop has evaded any attention from the local city guards and avoided paying taxes as well. He's got a good network spread out along Old Korvosa, maybe even outside that. I trust he could make some arrangements for our unwanted items, but he's not interested in non-alchemical supplies I'd reckon."
Mavor urges everyone to move quickly into the shop, while holding the door open, only after Burahl closes it, he relaxes a bit.
"Well to make a long story short: We've discovered a plot by the Queen's Physicians, who are agents of Urgathoa, to infect the whole city with Blood Veil, we've killed one of their leaders and now the guards are after us. Oh right, and we want you to take a look at this."
Mavor says before handing Burahl the notes.
Burahl's twitching nose, alert ears and investigating stare all dropped at the same time.
"Oh..."
Then he takes the papers and walks back to his counter, hops onto his stool and lights an oil lamp. "Make yourselves comfortable, there are some chairs there." He says with a grim look upon his face.
After some time and carefully reading the notes, the little ratfolk looks up from his desk to the others gathered around his shop.
"Would you like some tea perhaps? Or something more exotic? I'd reckon I could share some with you at this moment."
After putting a large kettle of water on and taking some flasks and jars from the shelves he walks to the group and stands leaning on his staff.
"I've got good news and bad news. The good news is, I've deciphered the notes and I think a cure is feasible. The bad news is that I can't make it by myself or fast for that matter. There seems to be some more notes missing. Find them and I might be able to produce something akin to a cure over a couple of days or a few weeks."
Tural nods.
"I say we take a nights rest and head back in there, to the lower level. There are bound to be more notes there. And maybe we'll discover more of who is behind all this."
He says as Burahl tells them the cure isn't possible just yet.
"Greetings, Burahl. Mavor speaks highly of you," Quorthos begins. He makes himself comfortable, accepting the alchemist's hospitality.
After hearing the grim news, he frowns. "We really should let our former boss know about this... but we can't do it in a way that may blow her cover," he begins. "And, we need to see if we can get some more information out of this - " he kicks the corpse of Devaulus " - to help us. Anyone know a necromancer who's on the wrong side of the law already?"
"Thank you.", Denario takes a seat, and listens to the conversation going on.
Though at Quorthos' mention, he looks surprised.
"Last sort we met, wasn't too keen on us being around.
Merely for some means to speak with the corpse of that quack doc?"
"Go back? Can we go back? Might be that we have Majenko scout it, but I doubt we can all get in," Baer begins to opine on solutions will trying to stay out of the rat's way. "But we should try, if not tomorrow, then the day after...I guess."
"We should also let the Adabarans, Asmodeans, and others know not to trust the physicians and maybe not the Grey Maidens."
Baer gets some paper and ink, writing notes to those groups detailing what they have learned. She will plan to send copies to the Abadaran priest that she had yelled at, the drunk sergeant that she saved, the Hellknights, and Vencarlo...and the proprietors of the Inn who was nice to her.
"I'm sure the Hellknights will be very interested to learn that they are being diseased by these physicians."
"So what do we do?" Majenko asks. "In the morning I scout the warehouse for you, then I report back, and then I deliver Baer's notes while you head back inside?"
"Yes, that sounds good."
Tural replies to Majenko.
"I think we should look ourselves first before we involve other parties, we don't know what's down there yet. Let us go back tomorrow and see for ourselves."
Baer will send off Majenko, promising many fish when the dragon returns and urging safety.
"I do not know what we would do without that little dragon. We are blessed to have a friend like that," Baer grunts as the helpful dragon takes flight. "We do not yet deserve such loyalty, but I am glad to have it."
* * *
Baer leads the team to return to the warehouse, preparing to enter again and see what lies below pending Majenko's report.
"Yes, indeed. He's been a faithful little friend.
Maybe we could find him a girl too, i mean fish are good and all, but maybe?"
(Grin)
Majenko goes out and scouts the area of the warehouse for you. He returns not much later.
"There are two Korvosan guards at the front of the building, and two at the back. I took some peeks through the windows, but saw no one inside the building."
After he's reported the news, Majenko flies off with Baer's notes. "Good luck!"
"Hmm... Troublesome news. I don't think we want to really hurt the city guards. If it has to be done, then we should knock them out instead of killing or wounding them. Anybody got a good idea to make them sleep, subdued or otherwise unconscious? Else I might have to try my hand at luring them away by trying my hand at a convincing lie."
"Oh yeah, definitely don't want to kill these guards. They are probably Cressida's people. We'll want to treat them gently. Of the two groups, I think we should hit the back group. They are closest to where we want to get to. Maybe Allyph tries to sleep them while Mavor and I move in and try to knock them out?" Baer shrugs not having any good ideas.
"Couldn't we just go in the the way we came out yesterday?"
Tural says with a little doubt in his voice.
"Otherwise we could use mist to distract them from the door. I'd rather not hurt them at all. Best that they not know we are going inside."
Before everyone moves in Tural renews the wards and the life links.
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Baer waits to hear what others have to say.
Tural looks at the others.
"No? That bad an idea? What do you suggest to get in? I'm out of ideas."
He says, not sure what to make of the bland faces staring at him.
"Guys, we had that special medal.
Didn't that give us some credit of provided good service to the city?
They might, and just saying might, turn a blind eye if we have to walk past them."
"We should sneak back in if we can... even assaulting the guards isn't likely to earn us any favour with Cressida. With prep, between Allyph and I we should be able to make us all invisible. If we can put the guards to sleep, great, but if we fail they'll raise the alarm. So much better if they are still there guarding while we are already inside."
Quorthos would also like to get someone to disguise him a little bit, if possible. No sense attracting attention on the way there. We should probably travel in smaller groups, as well.
"Sneak in it is then!"
Tural says in response to Quorthos.
"I like the invisibility plan. No ugly parts to it. I say we do that."
"Alright, but we should still make little noise when getting in. If we go through the door, although invisible we will make noise and sudden movements. Best to keep that down if we can, else we might have to find an opening elsewhere."
Mavor thinks to himself for a bit..
If I do that, then maybe... Yes a distraction is what we need, but... I'll need to be quick for that... Maybe even quicker.
"Right guys, hold my armour and my axe for me will you. I'd reckon I'd be more recognizable with these on me than otherwise. Give me a little time and you know when to go for the door if everything goes according to plan."
Mavor gets rid off his armour and greataxe, then dons his chain shirt he has kept in his pack for while on the road, grab his sap and whip and leaves other weapons and gear in the hands of the group. Hoping that he will be recognised more slowly than otherwise.
He moves two streets further down the road and nonchalantly crosses the street, looking left and right, seeing if the guards at the back also pay attention. Then when he is almost at the next street between buildings he stands still and calls out loudly so the guards could hear. "Hey! Hey You! Aren't you?! Yes! Yes you are! You're one of those on the wanted posters! Guards! Guards! That little bearded guy with his cards is here! Don't run away you! I've got ya! I need a little help here!"
Mavor dives back into street he came from earlier with a large leap as if trying to catch someone attempting to run away. He waits along the corner for a moment, trying to hear the approach of the two guards. If they do approach he'll make a dash for it and try to tackle someone who might resemble Denario when they come to investigate.
While Mavor undresses, Quorthos replaces the shocking grasp spell stored in his armor. After the plan is outlined, he follows Mavor to the nearby alley. He casts message on the entire group before Mavor leaves. Quorthos waits until Mavor is almost in position, then casts invisibility on Baer, Denario, and himself. When the guards respond, he whispers, "Straight to the door, go!" and heads for the doorway.
The guards give each other a confused look. They seem hesitant to go to the alley.
"What should we do? We're supposed to guard this door!"
"Yes, but... maybe we can get a promotion of we catch one of those guys?"
"Oh! Well, I uhh... Yes, let's go!"
They head toward the alley and, not much later, find it empty. While they give each other another confused look and try to put the pieces together, those of you who are invisible have made it to the door and discover the door is locked.
The moment Quorthos whispers, Allyph casts invisibility on both Tural and herself. The moment she reaches the door with the others, Allyph hisses, "Move aside!"