"Greetings", Maddok offers.
"I seek an audience with your matron to discuss possible... business", the Shoanti struggles a bit with the words, subtlety not being one of his strengths.
The eyes narrow, and the answering voice sounds suspicious. "What kind of business?"
"Hmmm...useful information, but it doesn't explain how he should pose a threat...nor where he is supposed to be now?
I wonder if there are any references to Westcrown...
I'll look for anything mentioning a devil binder of sufficient skill to actually summon an infernal duke.
There should be SOME hints in stories or what not."
Derek begins to pour over more books, looking for stories and legends pertaining to powerful demon binders, mentions of secret rituals or dark conspiracies within the last century or so.
Maddok chooses his next words carefully, knowing they would determine how easily he accomplishes his goal.
"Business of fire and death, brokered in shadows by fiends."
Livia exudes happiness as the day's training ends. "That was fun! In the end. Not so much at first!" She laughs. "Tomorrow I'll try to teach you to fly!" She rolls her eyes, wondering at the silliness of trying to teach an unwinged creature how to fly.
Just as he's about to give up, and even Khazrae's formerly interested eyes have stopped following his movements from where her head lies submerged in Yahirma's regenerative concoction, Derek finds something.
An obscure reference to a source of power used in ancient Thassilon, described as imprisoning powerful devils and siphoning off their life force, converting it to pure power, is annotated by scribbled hand-writing. This annotation suggests that an Egorian noble house, the House of Thrune, working alongside the Church of Asmodeus, may have begun investigating this power source more closely in hopes of recreating it.
The note goes on to suggest that the writer would attempt to discover more about this possibility, but Derek can't find any further similar notes in the volume.
***
"Wait." The eyes disappear and the slide is closed.
Several minutes later, the slide is opened once more, followed by the eyes. "You may enter. Leave your weapons outside."
Maddok disarms himself and nods for Rizzardo to do the same.
The task complete, he shows the eyes behind the door his empty hands.
"Hmmm, this suggests that Liebdaga might have been used as such a power source.
But the amount of power...it boggles the mind.
Even if he was bound 80 years ago i doubt he would have been used up yet. But WHAT could need such a powerful being as a source?
What is the biggest building in Westcrown?
...nah, not enough, a building wouldn't need that...it would have to be something else...
Uh...like an extra dimensional building use by a secretive society famous for hoarding all sort of information!"
Derek scrambles backwards in shock, scattering books all around him until his back hits the wall.
Can it be? Could his influence have been what drove the pathfinders mad?
This is stupid!" Derek exclaims and hurls a book at the wall.
"Cheliax thrives on secrets! IF he is indeed bound, he could be anywhere! And it's not like I can go to the Drovenges and just ask "Oh excuse me lady, but could you tell me where you are hiding your incredibly powerful trump card please?" She'd have me killed, and rightly so."
right, so I should begin to search for...things that might require a lot of energy in Westcrown?
"I think for now, we should work on you learning more magic. There will be plenty of time to teach me how to fly." He seems to almost crack a smile when the imp rolls her eyes.
Appario turns to look at Derek from his comfy spot where he had been resting.
"What's that Derek? You find an old recipe for a nice beer or something?"
Appario has a confused look on his face.
Derek shakes his head, far too upset to be able to engage in the usual banter between him and his aserbic friend.
"No...no...I'm just begining to wish that my crazy idea was crazy...but it is becoming less crazy every minute...and much more deadly."
***
Rizzardo frowns. "I don't like this," he confides in a low voice to Maddok, but he follows his mentor's lead.
Once both are unarmed, the slide is closed and the heavy door slowly opens. The eyes are revealed to belong to a woman with long black hair made into a braid. A distinctive nun's habit of golden and blood-red silk covers her body. She stands aside from the door. "Enter".
Another woman dressed in the same way stands further inside the triangular chamber beyond, which otherwise contains little apart from a pair of large tubs standing to either side of a low metal table with a gutter running around its edge. Another heavy door stands in the opposite wall, while three normal doors lead out of the chamber.
When Maddok and Rizzardo enter, the second nun leads them to the ordinary door furthest from the entrance and knocks once. The door is quickly opened by a third nun. A small table ringed by chairs is placed within this room, and an older woman, she too dressed in the same habit, sits in the chair furthest from the door. In addition to their door of entry, two more doors lead out of this room.
The sitting woman indicates the two chairs placed opposite to hers. "Sit." Waiting for Maddok and Rizzardo to follow her near-command, she then continues. "You have a proposition for the Sisterhood?"
During Derek's hours spent researching, Tarvi enters (Yahirma notes that she's later than usual, but she looks well-rested) and quickly takes an interest in his work. She makes sure to move the discarded books out of his way, and helps looking once she realizes what Derek is looking for.
None of the books provide an insight into what in Westcrown might require vast amounts of energy, however. Putting her currently perused book aside, Tarvi looks up. "There's nothing here. But.. I had a thought. You went into some sort of extradimensional vault, right? At the Mayor's party? It would surely require a great amount of energy to keep something like that operational for several decades." She begins putting books back into the shelves Derek had pulled them from. "That's the only thing I can think of."
Having spent most of her day finishing off a few items - particularly making a few modifications to her final preparations upon getting a whiff of Derek's more steely determination - Yahirma descends the stairs only in time to hear the tail end of the actor's frustration. She takes care to pick up the book where it had so unceremoniously fallen while Tarvi offers her own insights.
"I am uncertain as to the specifics of creating a demiplane, as the magic is both rare and esoteric," Yahirma adds while shelving the volume. "Few spells last forever, but a few wizards can lock spell effects in place at the cost of a fortune in gemstones. Perhaps this power was used as Tarvi said to perpetuate Livia's former home. It seems more economical to fuel a portal to a plane than to sustain the plane itself, but that would likely demand that the plane existed in the first place. Linking to a pre-existing plane would limit a secret society's security."
She contemplates the matter for a moment before picking up where she had left off. [b]"What is to say that there is only one such pocket plane? The fiend could conceivably power more than one space."
Maddok nods at his apprentice's distrust and he whispers back, "Good."
***
Once brought into the chamber with the higher ranking sister , the Shoanti ignores the order to take a seat, and instead stands at his full towering height where he was brought to the table. He looks to Rizzardo to do the same.
"There is a plot in motion by certain elements of Westcrown to take power in ways that I cannot fully understand. I doubt this has little interest for you, but those that I work with and myself seek to keep these efforts from coming to fruition. I, personally, seek the head of their leader", Maddok finishes grimly.
"As I know it, this holy place, now openly mocked by those outside its walls and your sisters were once a force to be reckoned with. How the reputation of the Sisters of Eiseth has fallen so far is not known to me, but I believe it may have something to do with competition from those without appreciation for an artisan and his craft."
As he closes in on his point Maddok matches the Sister's gaze.
"With as old and powerful as your order was, I believe you hold information that could aid my allies and I in our task, and as such I propose an exchange of information - you must have a library or other records of value. In exchange for access to them, I will share with you what we know about the assassin employed by the ones we labor to stop. Perhaps if it's known that the Sisters of Eiseth slew the most elusive killer in Westcrown, your order would see the prominence you enjoyed again."
Derek rubs his chin as he considers the words, realizing at the same time that he is developing a slight stubble in addition to his trimmed goatee.
I've let myself go...
"That is a better option surely, and makes more sense. This would have taken place before the current mayor came into office, so he may not even know the realities of his "house guest"."
Pacing back and forth in irritation, several muttering oaths escape the frustrated actor.
"But how do we stop this? Getting into the mayors home in the first place was no easy task, and I doubt we have the time to set up another play to earn a second invitation.
Moreover, we can't just TELL the mayor...but at the same time we can't let this fiend free."
Seeing Yahirma, he is momentarily distracted from his musings and speaks a bit softer.
"I would like a word with you in private later on m'lady Yahirma."
***
The Mother Superior frowns as Maddok and Rizzardo refuse to take a seat, and as Maddok speaks of the shortcomings of the Sisters of Eiseth in recent years her frown deepens while her mouth becomes a thin slit of disapproval. She holds Maddok's stare for a time, but eventually looks away.
She thinks for a time before answering. "We have records, but," she looks up again, "they are meant only for the eyes of the Sisterhood. I will answer your questions, but not grant you access to the records themselves."
"If I have the word of the Sisterhood that the information is complete and none is withheld, that is good enough for me", Maddok offers.
"So we have an agreement?"
The Shoanti thinks for a moment, trying to collect the random threads of information that the Gardeners had discovered.
"I seek information on the family Drovenge, their patriarch Vassindio, any connections the family may have to Mammon, and a grandson Ecarrdian."
"I also need to know about a group known as the Council of Thieves, the Walcourt estate, and anything you can find about a being known as Liebdaga."
Derek snaps his fingers suddenly as another idea occurs to him.
"Westcrown is built around an idea right? As Yahirma pointed out, an infernal duke could power a lot of demiplanes...maybe he was used as an infernal engine to power the "legitimate" rule of Westcrown.
If you wanted to take over, would not crippling the current rulers make sense?"
"It MIGHT not be about allying with him", Derek begins pacing again, getting more aggitated with each word, "it might just be about REMOVING him to cripple the opposition.
If that is the case, we have more than one reason to stop their plans.
Crippling the current rulers would create anarchy of a state we are not fit to handle."
Appario watches with concern as Derek gets more and more worked up.
Appario thinks about laughing as he tries to follow Derek's conclusions...but realizes he's not ready to either believe or disbelieve the insane rantings.
Appario tries to enjoin Derek on finding a solution.
"Derek, your theory is 'interesting', but how do we prove or confirm it. To me, honestly, it seems very difficult for me to believe that a powerful duke is bound within Westcrown, much less the Mayor's manor. Heck, we were *there*...we searched it top to bottom to extraplanarbottom. There wasn't anything there, Derek. Unless we somehow missed the cage with this devil. I mean, we found the other one and I have the scar to prove it." Appario rubs his back where the devil's spear pierced him.
"Derek, I'm not saying you're right or wrong, but that we need more certain proof because it seems rather sketchy." Appario ponders more.
"Listen, we *know* about the shadowbeasts...we've seen and fought them. We *know* about the vampires...we've seen and fought them. As for instances of powerful devils, I think we would have seen such by now."
The Mother Superior nods to Maddok's agreement. "Yes."
After listening to the areas he seeks information on, she nods again. "Very well. But before we spend the time to look for this information, you must give us something. What is the name of this assassin you spoke of?"
***
She nods once more. "Return three days from today. We will have information on the topics you seek, and you can provide the information you suggested."
Maddok and Rizzardo are ushered out from the room by one of the Sisters. They find their weapons gathered near the exit, and the Sister by the door opens it without another word, obviously expecting the two men to leave.
After some initial discussion on how the teams should be arranged, making sure each has a variety of skills at their disposal, the Gardeners divide into two teams of six. Yahirma is joined by Rizzardo, Tarvi, Sclavo, Vitti, and the gnome Yakopulio, while the other team consists of Amaya, Fiosa, Mathalen, Ermolos, Gorvio, and Larko. The halfling Fiosa hands scrolls of daylight to each of Tarvi, Vitti, Amaya, and Gorvio before the groups set out. "Use these if you need bright light." She hands one to Yahirma as well, if she wants one.
***
As the evening progresses, the two teams stay fairly close to eachother, straying no more than a block or two apart on their patrol through the darkest areas of the city.
About two hours after the start of the patrol, Yahirma and her group suddenly hear a bone-chilling baying coming from a few streets further north, followed by screams of terror from the same locations. Rizzardo immediately begins running in the direction. "This is our chance! Someone needs us!"
"He is called Maglin", the Shoanti offers. "And in three days' time I will share what I know about him with you."
***
Maddok wastes no time when he and Rizzardo are ushered out of the crematorium. Picking up his weapons and waiting for Rizzardo to do the same, the big man nods his farewell the sisters and heads back towards Westcrown proper.
"That went well. Let us return to the smithy. There's much work to be done still."
Appario thinks again about the avenues to confirm or deny what they know so far.
"Derek, maybe we should visit the Ciucci family and see if they need help? Yahirma, might that you come with us?"
Derek looks up, looking a little confused.
"I'm sorry, what? I've been a bit lost in my own mind...who are they and what do they need help with that we can be of assistance with?"
"As for the pit fiend, it is not as farfetched as you would think, but what is so maddening is the vagueness of it all.
Trust me; I'd love for nothing more than to find a big ol' plack stating in no uncertain terms that I was wrong.
Problem is, if I'm not, I don't think we can risk it.
As you say, the shadowbeasts are bad enough, so we do not want them to get more power."
Scratching his head a little, Derek sighs.
"But getting out of here and doing something else while we think about how to find more information is a good idea, I could use the distraction. I think I've learned everything I can here.
...
...
...
If only we had come back a little faster...Jalki could have given us the whole story...plus she did not deserve that.
Torture...she did not deserve that...
Maglin...you have a LOT to answer for, and your latest kill? Personal..."
About two hours after the start of the patrol, Yahirma and her group suddenly hear a bone-chilling baying coming from a few streets further north, followed by screams of terror from the same locations. Rizzardo immediately begins running in the direction. "This is our chance! Someone needs us!"
Yahirma nods to the others, for Rizzardo has already run ahead. She reachs for her scroll bandoleer on the way, suspecting that the papers will all try their hardest to spill out onto the cobbles, but she finds the scroll of daylight rather easily. "Point out our comrades if you see them, and I shall regroup our forces!" she calls out to her team as they start making for the attack site.
I should really move Khazrae to another, less frequented location Yahirma muses, her eyes briefly moving to where Appario is situated. He speaks as she does so, suggesting a trip to the Ciucci manor.
"I believe the manor to be as productive a start as any. I will be ready to depart for there in just a few minutes."
Appario nods to Yahirma and gets ready to go as well.
* * *
Know (Nobility) to find House Ciucci
Gather Information, if necessary
Appario has no problems remembering where the Ciucci manor is situated. It lies along a fairly heavily traveled street about halfway between the safehouse and the Mayor's manor, in the south-western part of Westcrown proper. The manor is a roughly symmetrical two-story building, although closer inspection reveals that the southern half of the building (where the Ciucci family resides) is in slightly better repair than the northern half (where the Mhartis family currently resides). The main entrance lies between the two halves.
***
Appario will look at Derek and Yahirma before knocking on the Ciucci residence.
"Let's go about this. I'll handle the contract for the 'problem', you guys handle the gathering of information."
Appario will knock on the door, letting Indemnity shine in full splendor.
A few moments after Appario's knock, the door is opened by a well-dressed middle-aged man, although he's not quite as well-dressed as the servants in the Mayor's manor at the Cornucopia, or those Appario saw in the Drovenge manor when he was there.
He looks at the three visitors. "Yes? What can I do for you?"
***
Appario clears his throat, hopeful that he knocked on the right door.
"Greetings, I am Appario Lind of the Holy Church of Abadar," Appraio bows politely before continuing. "These are my companions, Derek and Yahirma. May we speak to the Lord or Lordess Ciucci?"
"It has reached the Ears of Abadar that the Mhartis family needs help in recovering their ancestral home. I believe we might be of assistance. Would you be willing to provide an introduction so that we might aid in breaking any fell curse?"
Appario smiles politely.
Aaaah, it was that...good, now I am at the same page as the rest of the group. good thing too, i was in risk of making an ass out of myself.
From one merchant, they discover that the Mhartis family have fled their home and moved into an unused wing of the Ciucci family's estate. "They've offered a reward, gold and a family heirloom, to anyone who can prove they've ended the "curse" on their townhouse. Apparently their guards and servants kept vanishing without a trace. It's probably nothing."
***
From a former house servant, they hear a whispered tale. "You didn't hear this from me, right? Well, you know the Ciucci family? Wealthy bunch, they are. Anyway, first Arten Ciucci took advantage of his own brother's daughter, then robbed him, and finally murdered his brother's wife after he was found out! How depraved can you be to do such things to your own family?"
***
The man bows formally to each of the three. "Master Lind. Derek. Yahirma. I'm sorry to say my master has fallen ill, and is in no condition to receive visitors. Please return another time."
You can tell from the man's eye- and hand-movements that he'd prefer not to be pressed further on this, and that something's deeply worrying him.
He continues in answer to Appario's second question.
"The Mhartis family's entrance is on the opposite side of the house." He steps briefly outside to point in the proper direction. "I can't leave my post, but I'm sure a man such as yourself will be welcomed there."
Sense Motive
Appario jumps on the opportunity to provide aid (and possibly earn some favors in return).
"'Ill' you say? Well, we Abadarans are no slouches in the healing arts as Abadarn provides for those who place faith in civilization. My friend Yahirma is also a skilled healer and well versed in ritualistic remedies. Mayhaps we can lend him aid?"
Appario smiles again, helpfully and hopefully.
Diplomacy
"If our we cannot find a solution, there will be no charge."
Yahirma is at first content to allow Appario to do the talking, particularly as his appearance fits the scene far better than hers.
The butler's roundabout rebuttal seems to fly over Appario's head, and the combat accountant continues speaking as if nothing were amiss. As he makes his generous offer, Yahirma steps up to steer the conversation away from sensitive topics. [b]"We can understand that if he is under the weather, then he would not wish to be disturbed," she says, lightly placing a hand on Appario's shoulder and making quick eye contact.
This must be a point of some embarrassment, and here we intrude.
Doing what she can to manage courtly turns of phrase, she continues. [b]"We thank you for your time and generous directions, and may your master recover fully and quickly. A house so healthy should see it so, thought a canny servant might still welcome a northern breeze should the house's head remain too stuffy and require relief," she adds as an afterthought with a slight bow while turning to leave. With a quick nod over her shoulder at the butler, she begins the walk around to the Mharti's wing.
Scratching his head a little, Derek follows Yahirma as they proceed.
"What was that about milady Yahirma? I mean, I can understand not wanting to disturb his lordship if he is ill, but I take it there was something more here that I missed?"
Derek rubs his forehead, feeling a light headache coming on.
I've been too involved in that research, it is catching up on me now.
"I hope the Mharti's are gracious hosts, it just occurred to me that I have not eaten for some time...I hope I can at least beg a glass of...water."
I am not going to drink on an empty stomach, with my luck, the Marthi's will recognize us and fawn over us incessantly, spurring my headache on, and then they will serve something strong and rare like "the blood" or something...
The butler makes a dismissive gesture, and is clearly uncomfortable in his answer to Appario's offer. "It's not .. that kind of illness. I don't wish to offend, but .. your healing may not be .. the right answer."
He clears his throat as Yahirma voices her understanding. "Yes. Thank you. As you say, a .. northern breeze .. might be welcome in the evening."
Appario lets himself get dragged away by Yahirma, slightly protesting as a profit might have been made by the encounter.
By the time Appario reaches the Mharti door, Appario has returned to good graces and will knock and bow, repeating the process as the the Ciucci household.
As they move out of earshot from the manor, Derek pulls a little at his goatee.
"Not that kind of "illness" indeed? I wonder if our noble lord might have picked up a "social illness"? Mayhap frequenting my old haunts."
Several seconds after Appario knocks on the door, longer than he would consider polite, heavy boots can be heard on the other side, followed by the door opening. A man in his late twenties, wearing the uniform of a dottari officer, stands in the doorway. Appario and Derek both notice the ring on his left index finger indicating his rank as high warden. "I'm Duxotar Iltus Mhartis. What is your business here?" His voice is gruff, and smells slightly of alcohol.
***
In the wake of Rizzardo, the other Gardeners also begin running in the direction of the baying and continuing screams (although the smaller Yakopulio and more heavily armed Sclavo fall behind). On their way, Yahirma hears the distant sounds of the other team.
***
Rounding the final corner, Yahirma and the other Gardeners see the scene before them. A Shadow Mastiff has cornered a mother and her two children, where the mother attempts to use her body to keep the young ones from harm, while the big hound seems content to drink in their fears for a time before its eventual kill.
***
Current Initiative order:
23 - Tarvi
21 - Yakopulio
20 - Vitti
15 - Sclavo
14 - Shadow Mastiff
11 - Rizzardo
6 - Yahirma
***
Tarvi is quickest to assess the situation. She moves into the street and sends a pair of force missiles toward the hound, hoping to divert its attention from the cowering family.
The slow-moving Yakopulio and Sclavo can only catch up, while Vitti produces his scroll of daylight and attempts to cast it on his quarterstaff.
The scroll crumbles to ash, while bright light spreads throughout the street.
The Shadow Mastiff turns its massive head towards the threat approaching it, and finds the time opportune to let loose another fearsome bay.
Yahirma easily overcomes the beast's feeble attempt at penetrating her mental defenses, and most of the other Gardeners also shake the initial fear off. Only the two women, Tarvi and Yakopulio, scream in panicked terror and begin attempting to get away.
Rizzardo briefly looks back at his companions, then lets loose a war cry of his own and charges the beast, bringing his greatsword down upon it with finality.
The sword slides into the beast's flank, causing dark blood to spurt out in a steady stream.
***
"It has reached the Ears of Abadar that the Mhartis family needs help in recovering their ancestral home. I believe we might be of assistance. Would you be willing to provide us an opportunity so that we might aid in breaking any fell curse?"
Appario smiles politely.
"We can discuss remuneration as we learn the details of the problem."
The man smiles, but more with contempt than humor. "Abadar, huh? It stands to reason that such worshippers of gold would seek to exploit a family's problems for their own benefit."
Another voice, older (and perhaps wiser), is heard from within the building. "Who comes, Iltus?"
The commander turns briefly, raising his voice slightly, and changing his tone to one of far greater respect. "A group wishing to discuss our problem, father. I'll bring them to you."
He turns back. "Well then, come inside."
***
Iltus leads the small group into an entrance hall, then up a set of stairs to a lounge. A dignified man in his sixties sits on one chair, but rises as the visitors arrive. "I'm Ganefini Mhartis. Welcome to our current, but hopefully temporary, abode." He offers his hand to each of the three, then indicates other chairs. "Please, sit."
A sofa near one wall is occupied by a huge woman of similar age, while a teenage boy stands by a door several feet away, arms crossed and seemingly disinterested.
The next day of training proceeds in similar fashion to the first, although progress is obviously made as Livia molds the sparks she's able to produce into light similar to that of a torch. Mid-way through the third day, a painful breakthrough occurs, as the imp's sparks suddenly escalate into a cone of red-hot flame searing Xerath's skin.
"Oh no! Are you alright?! I didn't mean to do that!" Livia flutters about, half-worried and half-excited.
Appario will accept the invitation to enter.
Appario will repeat his introductions to the elder man, but also make it clear he is speaking to all involved.
He will again inquire if Appario, Derek, and Yahirma might provide assistance with the Mharti household and for a better description of the problem.
Xerath doesn't even seem to notice that he was just blasted by fire. But her outburst lets him know. "Oh, its quite alright. I'm perfectly fine. I am resistant to fire. Not as much as you, but it would have to be a little hotter to hurt me. In fact, I'm quite proud of you. You've learned actual combat magic in two days. That is quite a feat. Perhaps tommorow, I should teach you some more utilitarian magic. You already know how to shapeshift right? Maybe we can expand on that."
Derek takes a seat, rubbing his forehead a little as he does so.
"Beg your lordships pardon, but would it be at all possible to have a glass of water as we speak?"
No matter how many times she experiences it, the shock of hearing her thoughts jumble into the elegant rigidity of Infernal slows Yahirma's reactions. She brushes aside the hound's baying and sets about rallying the team. "Ou phobousi," she says while invoking a spell to make her command all the more potent. Certain that they will be following, she then begins hustling towards Rizzardo in time to see his brutal slash.
After Appario presents his initial offer and Derek requests a drink, Yahirma tries to present the team's credentials. "The streets carry hints of what might inhabit your true home, and we are interested in ensuring that you can return to it as readily as possible. Certainly Westcrown will be all the healthier for it.
"Our talents are not limited to dangerous stage performances. Alone, I can unravel curses, hoaxes, and haunts. With all three of us on the case, she says while motioning more to Appario than Derek (who still seems to be wincing), "you can be assured that your manor will be rehabilitated in short order. What information and blessing you can provide will certainly speed the process."