"I don't sense any deception, we can trust him," Fireday adds, nodding in agreement. "It seems Longdreamer's mistress still favors us too."
Meyanda has no hesitation about entering the city, seemingly unperturbed by going through the security checks and into the massive metropolis.
"They say you can find anything in Starfall," she comments casually, [b]"but that things will find you, too. Keep a hand on your pouch."
She lazily makes her way through the streets with the team, her gray adamantine blade perched on her shoulder, occasionally shooting a look at someone who seems inclined to try something unwise.
Once the team's approached by a would-be contact she adds softly to Fireday and Holg, "And if it's a trap, we just stab them and keep going. No loss."
"As you said, a good fight will find us sooner or later" Holg smiles and nods agreeing to follow the man.
"How is this place you are taking us called man? And how do you want us to call you? Perhaps a code name like... mmm... Nighty Wolf?"
Once the team's approached by a would-be contact she adds softly to Fireday and Holg, "And if it's a trap, we just stab them and keep going. No loss."
"Meyanda..." Fireday replies in the tone of a disapproving parent.
”The place has no name, but you can call us the Mockery,” the man says. ”Our leader goes by the same name.”
The insurgent leads you through the tangles of a district called Killbox. This is the most heavily populated neighborhood in Starfall, and is a swath of slums and desperation. The bulk of the city’s oppressed masses do what they can to survive in a tangle of narrow alleyways and makeshift shacks. The number of assaults and murders that take place in this soot-covered district gives the neighborhood its name. All manner of illicit drugs and questionable services are to be had in the dingy alleyways of Killbox. This is where people go if they want to disappear in Starfall, for the Technic League patrols rarely reach too far into Killbox unless the need is particularly dire.
Eventually, you reach a run-down and seemingly abandoned two-story tenement building littered with trash and graffiti. A series of knocks on the door signals insurgent guards to unlock the deadbolt and allow you entry. The complex within is small, consisting of a central meeting room with a half-dozen private chambers surrounding it. Mockery waits within to greet you personally.
”Welcome to the resistance,” the Kellid man says without preamble. ”You look to me like interesting people. Heard you were asking a lot of interesting questions. What’s your purpose here in Starfall?”
Holg tenses as they enter the sea of slums. Instinctively his hand leans over the cold iron dagger while the other one stretches the fingers of his gauntlet. The Kellid steps to the side, setting himself in between Kaska and the people that prowl the streets "These people live miserably... they do deserve fighting for their lives not just for mere survival..."
As the group meets with the Mockery, Holg makes a quickly evaluation of the situation.
If he trusts the man, he says "We came to Starfall to kill Unity"
If not, he says "We are in a travel of faith"
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Holg feels that Mockery is trustworthy. The rebel leader frowns when the cleric tells him your purpose. ”I know not of this Unity, but if it is an ally of the Technic League, then surely its death will benefit us.
“The Black Sovereign, Kevoth-Kul, once cared for us. He protected us and led us, but no longer. He is lord in title only—in all else he stands defeated, for he is nothing but a puppet of the Technic League. For me to openly state as much is traitorous, punishable by death, so know that I speak the truth. The Technic League keeps the Black Sovereign as one might keep a pet, and I would see my lord set free from their yoke. I know not if he would agree to step up against them if he can be freed... if not, then he must be put down, as one would a rabid dog. As long as he appears to remain in power, the Kellids of Starfall will remain docile. But if he were to rise up or be put down, they would revolt. The Technic League has grown complacent—if Starfall were to rise up, the League would be forced to spread its resources thin to try to keep control, and at that moment, a well-trained group of mercenaries such as yourselves could infiltrate its compound and defeat its leaders all at once... Especially if you could find an ally within their ranks!”
Mockery offers a few leads that might help with your mission:
Mockery has been watching a tavern called the Red Reaver, which is run by one of Starfall’s most infamous drug lords, Doc Hellbroth. Mockery’s intelligence has recently confirmed that Hellbroth has been working closely with the Technic League to supply many of the drugs they’ve been using to keep the Black Sovereign under their thumb. This knowledge confirms Mockery’s suspicion that the Technic League is responsible for Kevoth-Kul’s descent into addiction. Mockery believes that assassinating Doc Hellbroth or otherwise cutting off the flow of drugs to Kevoth-Kul would seriously disrupt activities in the palace by forcing the Black Sovereign into withdrawal, which would hopefully make an infiltration of the palace and an eventual confrontation with the Sovereign less deadly.
Mockery keeps an ear to the ground about Starfall’s black markets, and has recently learned that a nobleman named Kronsieg Drund has come into the possession of some sort of technological object of great power, and that he hopes to sell it at this upcoming night market. Furthermore, Mockery has learned that the Technic League knows this, and suspects that they’ll be sending one of their captains to attempt to commandeer the device. If you attend this night market, you not only might be able to purchase the device from Baron Drund, but could well ambush one of the Technic League captains. Such an act is risky, but if you can ambush the captain and defeat him, you could secure a number of key items or information that would make infiltrating the Technic League complex even easier.
Fireday's eyes light up at Mockery's words.
"I only wish I had found you and your band sooner, Mockery. In my wildest dreams I could not have imagined not just striking back at the Technic League, but striking at their very heart and once and for all! You have my sword and staff, until the League is broken!"
He holds out his weapon and bows his head in salute.
"We should pursue multiple courses of action, I think. It may attract more attention, but it may also inspire hope in the oppressed and fear in the League."
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"What time frame is available for these missions?" Fifteen asks, ever practical. "To fight a Technic League Captain would be a significant undertaking - best done when we are at full strength."
”We have waited a long time. We can wait a little longer. There is no need to rush. I would rather you take your time and ensure your success,” Mockery says.
"Fighting an entire city sounds like quite a challenge!" says Meyanda.
"I'm all for it."
"What?! The Technique League has drugged the Black Sovereign to control him?!" Holg stabs deep in the ground his adamantine greatsword "This is outrageous and cannot be tolerated!"
"The Red Talons cannot accept this Kaska, we must do something about it" Holg stares at Kaska hoping she is inline with Mockery about wanting the Kellids to revolt, then looks back at Mockery "When is this night market happening?"
"And about Doc Hellbroth, is there something we can negotiate with to make him stop? If not... what do you know about his defenses?"
"What?! The Technique League has drugged the Black Sovereign to control him?!" Holg stabs deep in the ground his adamantine greatsword "This is outrageous and cannot be tolerated!"
"Holg, I thought everyone knew that. I'm seven years old and spent most of that time at Castle Urion, and even *I* knew that!" Fireday comments.
Kaska is not comfortable walking the streets in Killbox, and looks it. She glances around constantly, pulled in defensively and with a dagger drawn but kept concealed under her cloak.
Her feelings about the place they've been escorted to improve as she hears Mockery out though. It does indeed seem the answers to her divination held true.
After Mockery has said his piece, Kaska considers his words. One thing more than any other concerns her.
"If the Black Sovereign is unfit and we remove him from the throne, who takes his place? The throne won't sit empty. What are those around Kevoth-Kul like? Does one of them clearly step forward in his place, or is there war among all the clans as everyone with ambition fights to be the next sovereign?"
"I'm sure the Technic League would be happy to just prop up another puppet," says Meyanda, leaning against a wall with her sword up next to her. "They'd put on a show of succession but pick someone they can control."
"The night market operates every night, but it's location constantly changes to avoid being shut down by the Technic League," Mockery explains. "I'll forward you the current location when you're ready to seek it out.
"The rumors say Doc Hellbroth is quite mad. Negotiating with him will likely be impossible. I know he is a powerful alchemist and likely has some sort of guardians at his beck and call."
Mockery turns to Kaska. "Your friend has the right of it. Though if the Technic League is dimantled, whoever is strong enough to defeat Kevoth-Kul would be able to claim the throne and become the next Black Sovereign!"
Holg negates to Fireday "But controlled at this level? We cannot accept it. We need to stop these drugs flowing into the Black Sovereign first of all, the sooner the better. I would prefer to leave the market for later then"
The Kellid looks at Kaska reassuringly and nods "If it results we cannot free Kevoth-Kul then Gorum will judge who should rule by right of war. That is how it is to be done. But by Kellid traditions the one who defeats the chieftain shall have the right to rule and be followed"
"Indeed. Iomedae is not just a goddess of justice and valor, but rulership as well, and The Black Sovereign has clearly shown he is unfit for it. In any case, we should make plans to bring Her justice to Hellbroth quickly."
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Deciding to take on Doc Hellbroth first, you head to the Red Reaver. The Red Reaver, like many buildings in Starfall, is constructed of a mix of metal and stone. The roof consists of metal shingles.
Several rickety-looking tables adorn this cramped room, each surrounded by numerous benches or chairs. The air within the bar is hazy and smells of sweat, incense, and strange sweet scents. To the south, a ten-foot-high statue of a hulking humanoid monster with six eyes and tiny wings looms, its large bulbous head brushing against the ceiling above while its crimson arms hang forward in a gorilla-like pose--an eponymous red reaver, from which the tavern takes its name.
A few Kellids lounge about the room in various stages of intoxication. The bartender is a Tian woman with a cybernetic eye. "Welcome. I am Saoria," she says with a smile. She moves gracefully and slowly while speaking in a soft voice so as not to distract or disturb any of the current customers. "How may I help you?"
"Got anything on the more mild side? You know...for the not-as-experienced drinker?" Fireday asks, trying to be polite and not waste the bartender's time by not ordering anything.
Fifteen doesn't particularly like the whole 'going in without a plan' method that Holg seems to thrive on, and she's certainly not going to order a drink...
"Sure thing. Two coppers." Saoria pours Fireday a mug of watery ale and places it in front of the warpriest. She smirks. "Most people who come here aren't exactly looking for 'mild' experiences, but I am happy to accommodate a paying customer."
"What kind of experiences does the people come here to have" Holg puts a silver coin in the counter "We are new to town, give me the in-house specialty"
The Kellid looks around trying to have a take on the people attending the tavern "Nice red reaper. Do you know where I can fight one?"
Fireday lays a couple of coppers on the bar, along with an extra as a tip.
"Thank you!"
He takes the mug and takes a sip.
Molly considers ordering a drink, but when she notices Fifteen not ordering anything, she decides that temperance is the watchword of the current situation.
Saoria smirks. "Our house specialty isn't necessarily our drinks." She gestures to the other patrons. "They come to partake of the various drugs, fluids, and other substances on our menu. You lot don't look like our normal clientele, but I'm not one to judge."
She follows Holg's gaze to the statue. "Can't help you there, I'm afraid. That thing's scary, but it's little more than artwork."
"What drugs do you have available? Anything to render someone more amenable or even willing to convey to oneself will Saoria?" Holg stares deeply at the cyborg's eyes "How do you make it for the Technique League not wanting to get their hands on that sparky eye of yours?"
"Do ... uh ... do you serve pesh?" Molly says, speaking up for the first time. She glances nervously at her wife. "It's not ale," she says defensively.
”Yes, we serve pesh,” Saoria tells Molly. She looks back to Holg. ”Among many other drugs with varying effects. As for my implants, if you must know, I used to have some connections within the League that gave me some special privileges. I don’t anymore, but they got me this job, as well as something that approaches comfort in this city.”
Molly turns to her wife and raises an eyebrow. "Have you ever tried pesh, My Love?" she asks with a grin. "We should try it together."
"I have not." Fifteen replies, arching an eyebrow at her wife. "What are its common effects?"
The halfling gestures towards a couple of patrons sitting nearby around a hookah. "You smoke it with one of those and it feels really good. It gives you a bit of a rush and then you feel sleepy after a while."
"Perhaps afterwards?" Fifteen suggests in a tone that doesn't seem convinced. "We do have things to do at the moment."
She turns to the barkeep. "Where can we find Doc Hellbroth?"
Saoria scowls at the mention of the name. ”Why? What do you want with him?”
Fireday watches Saoria's reaction to the mention of Hellbroth's name, trying to gauge if it'd be more beneficial to be diplomatic or forthright.
Fireday can tell that Saoria feels disgust towards Doc Hellbroth.
"That is interesting... why did you leave the Technique League?" Holg gives a try to whatever drink is available, and gives some more conversation to Saoria feeling more comfortable with her now "You should have some good contact at the League if they gave you this position... is there really someone to trust in that organisation?"
Assuming Fireday explains Saoria has disgust for Doc, Holg resumes the conversation around him "We have reasons to think he is drugging Kevoth-Kul and want to make sure that thing stops for good"
The Kellid places the hilt of his greatsword hanging over the edge of the counter for Saoria to see "You sure understand what I do mean"
"I...didn't know people COULD leave the Technic League," Fireday exclaims. "At least, and then still live afterwards."
"I never was in the Technic League," Saoria clarifies. "I just knew people inside that hooked me up with some sweet tech and this cushy gig. Unfortunately, those people got on the bad side of some of the League's captains and they're not around anymore. Don't know who's on the take these days."
When Holg makes your intentions clear, Saoria gets a cagey look. "Ah. You wanna take out the Doc, eh? His lab's in the back. The room's soundproof, if you get my meaning... I'll take you back there, but I ask that you try to minimize any damage to the building, and don't mix me up in the fight or its repercussions should you be caught."
"Soundproof?" Molly questions with a raised eyebrow. She shifts her musket on her shoulder. "How soundproof?"
"Ah, I see. I'm surprised you're willing to be so...forthright about allowing us to do this?"
This is too easy, Fireday thinks to himself.
"Soundproof enough," Saoria says with a smirk as she looks at Molly's musket.
"The doc's a creep," she tells Fireday. "I've entertained engineering his death myself in the past, but I don't really have the stomach for murder. You, on the other hand..." She lets the statement trail off. "Ready to go?"
Holg arches his eyebrows struggling to understand "You want us to sing him a song?" the Kellid looks back at Kaska then back at Soaria "I am not sure you got our intentions here" the man puts the greatsword over the counter.
"Karaoke of killing, it seems," says Meyanda with a smirk.
"I wouldn't say I have the stomach for murder either, Saoria...the harsh justice of the sword on the other hand..." he lets the statement trail off. Then he gives an You're kidding right? look to Holg. "How can a holy-man as naive as me STILL have more guile than you Holg?!"
Saoria leads you through a back halllway lined with private chambers for customers who wish to spend several days in a drug-induced bliss.
A door at the end of the hall leads into Doc Hellbroth's alchemy lab. The walls of this room are lined with workbenches adorned with all matter of alchemical substances and devices. The central area is open and remarkably free of clutter, while another metal door leads deeper into the building.
"Doc Hellbroth's in the next room, along with a golem he keeps for protection," Saoria says. "Although, if you don't want to straight up murder him, you could try to tamper with the drugs here and make them inert before the next delivery to the palace. Certainly, the repercussions on the man would eventually result in his death, anyway!"
"Guile? What?" Holg looks back confused at Fireday before following Saoria and the rest of the party and casting his spells readying himself for combat.
"Having the option, I think we should just fight, give honor to the god of War!" the Kellid says raisin his sword in the air and pointing at the last door.
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Saoria shrugs and steps back as you enter the next rom. This is a shadowy room bathed in deep red lights. A haze of cloying, metallic-scented smoke leaks from a series of large glass cylinders in the center of the room. Strange masks connect to the cylinders by long slender tubes, within which a sickly yellow liquid percolates slowly. A large surgical table surrounded by strange medical machines sits in the center of the room. The walls are lined with more strange apparatuses; arrays of tubes, syringes, and vapor masks are prominently displayed in glass cases and hanging from steel hooks. A pillar of metal covered in softly blinking lights stands at the east end of the room, a tangle of cables snaking out of it to connect to many of the machines spread throughout the chamber.
A wretched elven man with twisted features is at work here, along with a hulking clockwork golem. Doc Hellbroth looks up as a party of heavily armed strangers bursts into his laboratory. "No! Stay back! Golem, attack!" he commands as he draws a dart gun!
Doc Hellbroth drinks an elixir to enhance his vitality while the golem lumbers forward and attacks Holg! It punches him, but thanks to his freedom of movement, it is unable to grab hold of the cleric.
Fifteen circles the golem to get to Hellbroth and stabs at him with one long blade.
While Holg is making his preparations for the attack, Meyanda makes her own.
Seeing that the golem looks like a much bigger threat than Doc Hellbroth, Meyanda lets out a surprising battle cry and rushes at it with her greatsword in one hand!