Almost out of reflex,Bastargrae scuttles about to serve tea and coffee to the rescued group of ill-treated citizens.He fusses over them,making sure each were comfortable after their ordeal.
He had also retrieved the spent crossbolts from the fight--no need to give the enemy a clue to track him. And he had absolutely no qualms yanking one bolt out of the Thrune loyal guard's leg so Asha could heal him.
Rexus meets up with you on the other side of Salt Gate. His face is grave.
"They've begun heavily enforcing curfew. I've just barely avoided two patrols out here on my own... and we have a long way to go."
Forvian offers... "We can split up... two smaller groups would have a better chance of slipping through the streets unnoticed. Tell us where to go, and we'll meet you there."
"Hmmm, certainly a hard decision to make, splitting up makes the groups smaller and ease our attempts to employ stealth, but it also makes the groups more vulnerable in case of discovery."
Idril frowned.
"My personal inclination is to stick together. What say you former prisoners?" She said to her companions.
"I suppose we'll be staying together..." Asha follows close behind Idril, trying to be quiet.
Forvian nods. "Alright. We'll follow."
You make it to the bridge before you are spotted by a militia patrol. Rexus and the Forvian's crew hang back as three Chelish thugs move toward you. The one in the center yells out.
"Violating curfew! Drop your weapons, and down on your knees!"
"We need to deal with this post-haste."
Indio walks forward confidently, and as he walks he flashes his eyes at the speaking guard, and then attempts to employ his power.
"Are you not reacting rather rashly here my good sir? After all, can you truly be sure that we are not allowed to break curfew? Perhaps you should lower your weapons so we can talk it over?"
The Chelish militia thug in the center cocks his head, and lowers his mace.
"Hmm. He's right. Lower your weapons. They likely have good reason."
The other two do a double take... "What?" The two of them appear to have reduced bravado.. certainly confused, and maybe a bit fearful.
"Thank you my good sir, it would not behove us to fight needlessly when we share a common goal.
As you can see, we are escorting prisoners, and with the curfew in effect, doing it nightly means we can do it with a minimal of fuss or interruptions.
I trust you have heard the rumours already about some dastardly group of rebels seeking to disrupt the lawful rule of house Thrune?"
"In fact, you appearing here could prove a fortuitous meeting for us indeed.
Could you perhaps keep a sharper lookout as we pass? I am not certain, but I felt that we were...observed at some points during our journey.
Almost like someone was following us, with ill intent."
Idril stepped forward.
"It's true! I'm so afraid. Can't you help protect me?" She said earnestly, appealing to their protective impulse.
At the back of the group, Asha pretends to shove the "prisoners" with her walking stick. It is very difficult for her to do, being used to a lifetime of subservience, but she tries to imitate someone in a position of authority.
The center militia patrol lightly swats the more suspicious of his fellow thugs, and gestures "There you go...."
One comments.. "Heh... seem to be running outta places to lock'em up."
The third responds to Idril's request "Mm-hmm.. you got it, sweetheart." with a wink.
They eyeball, snort, and smirk at Forvian's crew as you pass.
You make it back to the Wasp Nest without further interference.
Forvian beams "Laria!" as he sees the halfling. "Should've known you'd be behind this."
Laria smiles as Forvian takes her hand, but she shakes her head "This was their doing. I mentioned I knew you, but my friends here took it on themselves to see it through.. start to finish."
Forvian turns back to you "Well, thank you again. I hope we get a crack at paying back your kindness somehow."
Asha cannot believe they managed to pull it off, She stands for a few moments blinking at Laria and Forvian before she starts busying herself with caring for the former prisoners and serving food and drinks to everyone. Bit by bit, the events of the evening sink in and she starts smiling and even humming a little tune.
As the group reach what might be considered safety, Indio relaxes slightly.
"Ah, the power of words when used with skill can be as sharp as the most legendary blade."
Indio then excuses himself for a few moments to remove his disguise (and apply his Indio disguise in it's stead) as well as put on his normal attire.
Before rejoining the others he lets out a breath he had not been aware he was holding.
"Well, tonight little raid proved a success. What we need to decide now is if we continue to strike while the forge is hot, or if we wait for a while and allow our enemy an illusion of safety?"
"Indeed, there are several considerations worth remembering here.
Having freed a number of prisoners, it is likely that our opponents will seek to increase security in any remaining prisons.
Were we to wait too long, a raid such as what we undertook tonight would be quite difficult.
However if we quickly find a new target, we may be able to succeed before any new security measures have been put into effect."
Rexus comments on Indio's assessment.. "I'd advise against being in too much of a hurry. We do not want to rush a confrontation before we are ready. We need to garner support from the people, grow our coffers, and learn more about what we are up against."
Before joining his crew for some rest, Forvian offers... "Well you've garnered our support. Give us a few days to recuperate. After that, if you come to want our aid, just let us know how we could be of use."
"Perhaps, there are times where discretion is the better part of valour.
But we cannot afford to be passive at this juncture.
If we are to build something lasting, we must be willing to use a certain level of aggression, aggression in action, not violence mind."
"If we cannot act, then we must plan for when we DO act next.
Plan and prepare."
The next day the Fushi sisters go out to get the word on the streets.
Rexus joins you - taking a break from his studies... "I've not gotten too much further with deciphering the Silver Ravens documents. I have found the name of the supposed founder... someone known as “Jackdaw”. Before the Age of Lost Omens, she'd built herself into a sort of Kintargan folk hero who apparently fought for the rights of the city’s downtrodden."
The Fushi sisters return that night.
"There have been murders in Redroof.. Devil's Nursery.. someone's been killing tieflings. Three victims so far that we heard of.. over the past five nights. Local slummers've been saying the Slasher's back." Korva shakes her head.. dismissing that idea.
"They're pretty spooked... and none too eager to jaw with outsiders. Was like pulling teeth getting that much info, but solving that case could go a long way in winning'em over."
"Hmmm...there is a tradition of sort to Tiefling discrimination in Cheliax.
Certainly purging Kintaro of them would meet one of the standards set by our new lord and master.
Could the powers that be find it prudent to act so openly by using the ghost of a murderer past to cover up their own crimes of ethnic cleansing?"
Asha reacts immediately to the news brought by the sisters. "Oh, no! Do you know what the victims were called? Oh, I hope Kirit is safe! We have to got there, I know some of them, they'll talk to me - I'm sure! Oh, please, please!" She turns pleading eyes to the others, almost vibrating with emotion and eagerness to go.
"I don't think I've ever heard of this Slasher, who is that?"
"He was a professor, one Mangvhune. Executed well over a hundred years ago for his crimes.
He was given the rather fanciful moniker of the Temple Hill Slasher as I recall.
So it would seem we deal either with the unquiet dead, a copycat taking advantage of the chaotic situation or...a government conspiracy using an urban legend."
Idril looked up with interest.
"Yes, that is a great idea Indio! Busting a mad murderer can only enhance our reputation among the people.
"We should give a thought to raising money somehow afterward. Our pockets, figuratively and literally, are near empty." She said.
Indio smiles and holds up a finger.
"Why, we start in this case like in all others, by gathering information so we may make a comprehensive plan of action."
"Oh, I can help with that, I know some tieflings who live there!" She is already gathering her things, eager to get started.
"My dear, I appreciate your fervour, but people dragged out of their beds will not be the most receptive towards information gathering.
Perhaps now that we have a plan, we should all head off to bed and start afresh in the morning?
We can reconvene here tomorrow evening."
The next day you make your way to the tiefling slums in Redroof - known as the Devil's Nursery. It is immediately clear how on edge the denizens are... suspicious looks and scowls.. even brisk retreats back into their homes as you walk the streets.
After a couple hours of asking around, Asha is able to find a lead.. directed to someone in the know and willing to speak upon the recent murders.
"Yes... I know of the killings, and where they've taken place. My name is Zea." the tiefling woman gives a slight bow. "It is a comfort to know someone outside the nursery is willing to look into it."
"Please, do tell us what you know.
Hold nothing back, no mater how inconsequential it may seem, or if it seems fantastic or is hearsay.
We can focus on sorting through the information later, at the moment we should focus in obtaining as much as possible lest we risk missing something that later turns out to be vital."
Idril smiled and nodded encouragingly.
Zea thinks for a while, then frowns.. almost apologetically. "There is not much to tell you, I'm afraid. I only saw the most recent victim. He and the others were cremated soon after they were found - as is our custom, but I can tell you his face was terribly bloodied. I can also show you where he was found... the other two I know the location, and can take you there if you think it could be helpful."
"Has there been any attempt by the forces of law and order to investigate this crime at all?
We have heard of three murders so far, is that the true number as far as your knowledge stretches?
How much time has elapsed between each murder?"
She shakes her head... "Not sure.. I screamed once I saw him, and others soon came. I didn't get a close look, but cut and beaten... I think. Come... I'll show you where."
As she starts to head in the direction of the crime scene, she replies to Indio. "No... no one has come to look into it. And yes... three murders.. a young man, young woman, and the third was.. middle-aged I'd say. A day or two between each."
"Hmmm...neither Dottari nor Hellknights then.
The victims had no connection to each other beyond their race either it seems.
And the time is inconsistent."
Indio idly smooths his moustache as he walks after the guide, considering the information carefully.
After walking northeast a few hundred feet... "The nearest one.... This was the second murder. It is a fairly well-trafficked area.. I don't know if you will find much." She points to a two-foot wide bloodstain at the edge of the ally.
"Hmmm, perhaps, perhaps not...but it can do us no harm to see for ourselves, would you not agree?"
Based on the blood stain, Indio attempts to form a picture to his minds eye.
You catch the attention of passers-by.. their disdainful looks ease when they notice Zea with you.
One older tiefling asks "What is this? What's going on here?"
to which Zea replies "They are trying to help... find out who has been doing the killing."
The old man snorts with skepticism.
Zea turns to you.. "Let me know when you are ready to see the next location."
Asha looks around the area, trying to picture the scene in her mind. "You say it's a fairly well-trafficked area, I wonder if someone saw or heard anything..." She moves a little way off, asking around for any witnesses.
It is curious that the killer selected this spot... or did they? Had they been stalking a particular victim and struck at an opportune moment? Or had it been but a chance encounter?
Without looking around or seemingly paying attention to the others, Indio slowly strokes his moustache as he contemplates the spot.
He does however speak, seemingly not addressing anyone in particular.
"Anyone that believes that pertinent information might be lacking is of course free to contribute their own theories or observations."
Inwardly he is however slightly perturbed at the open scepticism of the old man.
it is far easier to disparage than to help is it not?