We must do well to remember how Cheliax and those in service to it work. They do so love their laws and regulations. But there are also loopholes to exploit. Bribery may well work with the greedier sort but there are those who take offense to it and may well report us. But blackmail and extortion, on the other hand....may just well be our keys to success.
Could we not convince someone inside to be allies to our cause and gain access to the documents that way? Seems more reliable than the other options.
"It might simply be best if we do a cursory examination of the information available to us "on the streets" so to speak.
I shall make the attempt, and welcome anyone else who might be interested to do the same."
After an hour of delicate probing... trying to determine with whom to inquire, and those who'd be safe to even broach the subject. A mildly haggard merchant of paper, ink, and writing implements points you in the direction of a Ruba Fenquay in Old Kintargo.
"A few blocks north of the Tooth and Nail. Name's on the sign."
After Indio's deft and sensitive approach to the matter, the man shows no signs of suspicion or concern as he mentions who might have samples of official documents.
Rather than going to visit this "Ruba" himself, Indio returns to the hideout.
He reasons that it would be a good idea perhaps to have someone else procure the documents, thus not creating any direct links easily followed.
"I bring news, an individual by the name of Ruba Fenquay, of old Kintaro seems to be a very likely candidate to possess what we require."
I will go to help protect, but someone better at talking should take the lead on this I think
I'll admit, I'm better at collecting information and remaining unnoticed. Although I am quite confident in my skills as an orator, sometimes I miss certain social cues. But I can try my best.
Akukho gives one of his fluid shrugs. "I do not always understand you air-breathers. I will... how do you say... back you down?"
Idril smiled.
"Perhaps I could speak to him."
She consults with Indio about exactly what kind of official documents she should make a deal for.
You make your way across Kintargo once again... paying another 5 silver each for crossing the Bleakbridge. You see one of the guards turn and squint.. as if straining to see something upriver. The other guard looks to him, and the first guard shakes his head. "Thought I saw someone climbin' outta the river.. can't say for sure." and shrugs.
I'm assuming you were swimming across again... if I should not assume that, let me know.
You reach Old Kintargo, and just as you reach the northbound turn, you see Setrona pop her head out the window just past the entrance of the Tooth and Nail.
"Hey!" and throws her hands up with an incredulous look. "Just passing by?!"
Akukho waves to his friend and then crosses the street to speak quietly in her ear.
"We are on a mission for your friend." He confides quietly. "There is a man nearby can help us. We have to rescue people from the Holding House. Mr Black has a man who can make papers for us."
Stricia nods at Strona. Preferring to let the others talk.
Idril slowed down to match her pace with Akukho and the others when he stopped to talk, but didn't close with them to avoid drawing attention.
Heading north from the Tooth and Nail, you soon come within sight of a hand-painted sign in front of the scrivener's shop you are seeking...
"Ruba Fenquay: Notarius, Copyist, Reader, Translator."
The shop itself is made of dark muted green and burgundy stained wood.. highly stylized with routered and carved details - though it does show its age. A light lavender and eucalyptus scent (as well as the faint scent of ink and paper) wafts through the front door - on top of which a tiny bell is affixed, and jingles as you enter.
Shelves line the walls to your left and right.. jam-packed, but neat and orderly. Four small globes of light hang from the ceiling, and provide soft illumination. Steps go up to a slightly raised section toward the back where a thin older woman in a greying brunette neatly braided bun sits.. writing behind a massive walnut desk. She tilts her head and leans to see the last of you enter.
"Quite a crowd...."
She sighs, and returns her quill to its holder, but does not rise.
"How may I help you today?"
Stricia places a fist against a palm and bows towards the elderly woman.
We were told that you would be able to assist us in a matter of some documentation we require. she says.
Riba removes her glasses as she stands.. a tall woman around six feet, and rail thin. She pushes her scrunched sleeves back out to her wrists, and steps out from behind the desk. She eyes the group.
“Well if that is what you heard, I suppose it is in the realm of possibilities that I would be able to meet your needs. What documentation do you require?”
Stirica glances at the others... Official documents she says. We need to work... with.. the government
She's very bad at lying so she doesn't really.
"Yes. We need to be able to access a high security area. Such as.. a prison. Something like that. We would use the ones issued, but we never received them. Bureaucratic oversight. You know how it is." Idril said, nodding sagely.
(+5 if she's 5+ hd more than me).
Ruba raises an eyebrow “Hmm.” then tsks....
“Unfortunately.. I happen to be very busy.. so busy, in fact, the client I am currently servicing has paid one hundred gold to be moved to the front of my workload. I could be convinced to see to your request... perhaps for a similar- albeit higher- fee.”
Stricia raises her eyebrows at the rest of the group. She isn't the treasurer!
Idril glanced back at her companions.
"Ah, and what would 'similar-albeit higher-fee' entail? Something a poor government worker could afford I trust." Idril replied pleasantly.
(+5 if she's 5+ hd more than me).
Ruba studies Idril for a few moments, then scans the group again...
"An acceptable price to avoid letting your superiors know you've lost your form? ... is that how one might verbalize your situation?"
She gives somewhat of a knowing look... then...
"What precisely do you require? Which form?"
After telling Ruba you've come for prisoner transfer forms, she nods...
"Interesting.... Just the blank forms, or do you need my special skills as well?"
"Handing you a blank form would take no time at all, of course. However... it would be.. not completely without risk to me. Thirty gold for a blank form... another one hundred fifty if you wish me to...." she pantomimes writing rather than mention forgery outright.
Idril smiled.
"Just a blank for for now. If it turns out we need your very special services, we will certainly return.
Thank you kindly!" She said, gracefully shelling out thirty crowns.
(+5 if she's 5+ hd more than me).
Stricia nods and bows. Thank you for your assistance, if we need your skills as a scribe then we will come back.
You trek across town again. On the way, you pass Veritas Plaza where you'd seen a platform set up. There is now what looks like a fairly large doghouse festooned with iron studs. Outside of it are two big feral-looking dogs which appear to be chained just out of reach of the odd little structure.
Just to the south of the platform, a half-dozen locals have congregated.
Akukho stops, surprised by the new structures.
"What is this?" He asks, concerned.
Curious, Idril eased up to the congregation unobtrusively and tried to hear what was going on.
Apparently, the platform is being set up for one of Bazillai's excruciations... something known as doghousing. The prisoner is placed in a doghouse within which the walls and much of the floor is covered with nails. This forces them to squat (not able to stand or sit) for days. The guards drop scraps outside the doghouse opening a couple times a day - the prisoner must fight the two dogs or starve.
No one mentions who is the first to be so tortured.
Akukho stays to watch, somewhat against his better judgement, and starts trying to work out if he could heal the poor soul from a distance. His attempts to learn something about what is going on meet with dismal failure.
Stricia does the same.
While waiting for the others to return, Indio will spend time with Laria, helping her out, though he would prefer not to get dirty if at all possible.
All Stricia and Akukho are able to figure out is that some of the people standing around are disgusted with the inevitable torture, some seem to be looking forward to it - seemingly pro-Thrune loyalists. If any of them know who is first up to be doghoused, no one is open to sharing the information.
We should make note of those disgusted as possible recruits in the future. Stirica mutters to the others after their fairly fruitless attempts at gathering information. I am ashamed to say I do not think we can do anything for them now. Perhaps we can free time by night.
With nothing more to do here, Idril tries to catch the others attention in order to go back to base.
You make your way back to the Wasp Nest with what is needed to forge the prisoner transfer forms.
"Hmmm, yes, yes this is excellent. Exactly what was needed..."
Indio pours over the forms for a while making sure tog et to know them as well as possible, before sitting down, carefully removing his gloves and coat, and getting to work.
Idril spends her down time just as she did training in the Opera; buzzing about getting the uniforms and other things (like official armor, manacles, etc.) ready to disguise those that would go make the extraction.
Idril puts together pretty convincing uniforms for everyone (three look spot on), and Indio’s forged documents look official. With everything prepared, all that is left is to determine when to make your move.
Indio goes over his work one more time, feeling fairly satisfied with the results.
"Hmm, documents in order, and uniforms looks quite splendid.
Ah yes, one question, is anyone here trained in the use of short swords? We should incorporate the blade we were given, and at an opportune time should we be taken to the prisoners, draw some surreptitious attention towards it."
Do I sincerely hope we will not be required to use it for the second purpose we were presented with it.
"I could carry the weapon." Akukho offers. "I have never used one though."
I am trained in the use of swords. I suppose I will have to leave my own behind. Stricia says with a frown, gesturing to her Temple sword.
"As can I." Chimed in Idril.
"Well, it is not particularly relevant which person ends up adding it to their uniform, only that someone does.
And that this someone remembers to keep it well viable and possibly draw a little attention to it at an opportune time."
"We should make sure that the ones most capable of playing the role of guards are the ones stepping to the front, as such they should be the ones fielding the best of the disguises."