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Not wanting to crowd Fenchil and scare off the children, Kellean walks up to the man planting flowers.
Trying to be disarming - despite her weaponry and breastplate - she walks towards the old man planting flowers, "Lovely flowers. Any trouble with cats digging in your garden? ... What's it like living next to 'Auntie Baltwin's Home for Recovery'? See, we are Pathfinder on a delivery for the Silver Crusade and just want to make sure everything is good with the neighbors and at the home."
She then talk to the neighbors on the porch, "Lovely weather we are having, isn't it?" before continuing her line of questioning.
At the market, she buys some apples and some sweets for the kids before introducing herself and her mission. "They must get a lot of good, fresh food from you, both the kids and the kitties?" She then continues as before.
As Kellean approaches all the different people, Banon by her side she hears various stories.
From the Grocer - "Auntie Baltwin's a fine woman. Known her for over 30 years. She is a good customer, but quite demanding. She can be downright rude if we don't have what she wants. She's also kept my supplier of fine whiskeys in business for decades. There's good margin to be made on that."
From the Neighbors - "We are tired of the noise of the children and cats, but the cats do keep the mice away...When Auntie Baltwin sends the children off into town, and its quiet, we can finally get some peace here. Wonderful what's she's doing for those children though. Bless her heart!
From the Man with Flowers - "Nice lady, a saint really to care for them kids like she do. Used to take tea and play games with her on the porch, but she liked to cheat, the lady did, and there were those shady types always a'comin' around, handin' her bags o' coins. Otherwise, a fine lady, she is."
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"So marbles, eh. Who's winning?" Fenchil asks the children, trying to strike conversation.
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"Auntie says not to talk to grown ups, especially strangers. Now get up and leave us alone!" cries out the younger of the boys. He is clearly frightened. The others snatch up the marbles, grab the youngster by the arm, and back quickly away towards the manor house.
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"Hmm. Especially the strange strangers, I would imagine," Kellean suppresses a chuckle. Showing Fenchil the apples and sweets that she has purchased, "Perhaps we can get another chance once inside. Culsar, would you know some prestidigitations with which to amuse the children? I'm afraid that I prepared nothing appropriate."
Seeing that everyone seems ready, Kellean walks up to porch, says a little prayer to Sarenrae for Guidance in this mission on her behalf, and knocks on the front door.
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No, I would not. Culsar says bluntly to the cleric. Do I have the appearance of a court jester? However, given the circumstances, he knows he should try to do his part in the investigation in some way. Calling his owl to his side, he will try to engage the children that might be interested in Runk by having it do minor tricks (mainly fetch).
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Seeing the friction between culsar and kellean, fenchil tries to intervene a bit "we may not have learned much, but we at least know tells them not to talk to strangers"
"how about we see if we can talk to auntie herself?"
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After Kellena raps on the door, a few uncomfortable moments pass, then a large incredibly ugly woman answers the door, wiping her hands with a dish-towel.
"Aye, ken I help 'ee?" she says eyeing all of you warily. "Je' a poor ol' woman tryin' to care fer some orfins, here, do it please ya. No extree coins to buy some fancy baublie or what not. Thank'ee fine!"
She starts to slam the door on you, assuming you are traveling salesmen.
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"Nothing to sell, good miss! We are here on a mission from the Silver Crusade, to both deliver medicine and to check on the welfare of your charges. Unfortunately, we are unable to leave these valuable materials without a full inspection - just bureaucratic hoops to jump through and all, you know how they can be, nothing serious I'm sure. May we come in?"
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Fenchil hangs back and lets kellean do the talking "she really is way out of my league when it comes to people ", while making sure to inspect the old lady
-Posted with Wayfinder
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A smile crept up on the craggy face of the grizzled ranger as he stepped forward rather boldly, giving the old, ugly woman a curt nod of his head before he hopped into a slew of unintelligible Common.
"Dornt be sae quick tae close th' duir oan us. Jist haur tae drap aff a package fur ye frae a mutual mukker."
"Ach! How are the gud paladins o' the Crusade, do ya ken? Them donations are always much welcome at my wee home. Bloody orphins git sick quick, do ya ken? An' the medicine is sooo pricey."
REaching out for Kellean, the lady continues:"Let us have the packet then, lass, and then off with yeh, do ya fine. NO need fer all that inspectin' bizness, we are all t'busy fer tha' nonsense, eh? Nae give Auntie the packet, girl."
She puts on a smile that, frankly, makes you stumble backwards. Her teeth are black and crooked. Her face is splotchy, her grey hair pulled back severely. the smile turns into a grimace as Kellean pulls the package back away from her and you see a mean cast to her features.
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"Medicines are sure pricey, aren't they? And so are fine whiskeys, especially when consumed in abundance," Kellean gives Auntie Baltwin a wink. "So, we had better just settle for a splash of tea, perhaps, after we take a look around? I'm afraid that once those 'good paladins' get an idea into their head - no matter how far-fetched - they just won't stop until it is run into the ground and dealt with, if you know what I mean. You know how they are..."
Kellean's voice remains ethereal and strangely pleasant, even as it takes a confrontational turn. Diplomacy first, but if it fails, one must be ready with the sword.
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Fenchil stays quiet, as he's clearly not grasping the code language exchanged between Banon and Baldwin. "mucker? And who is this Ken feller?".
He does, however, stay on the lookout for signs amiss...
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Banon...was scared.
He'd braved swamps. He'd fought drakes. He'd even watched a Paladin blatantly kill an inn filled with old women on the premise that they were evil.
But this? Nothing could prepare him for this...
Involuntarily shuddering as he chanced another glance at Auntie Baltwin, the ranger stepped back as he sized up the horrendous looking old woman.
Taken aback by the firmness of the girl-cleric, Auntie relents. "I guess, you are right, lassie. C'mon then and doan mind the mess, ken? With this many waifs under me roof, housekeepin' gets to be a bit o' a challenge."
She stands aside and lets you into the rundown orphanage. The inside is less than clean. A whisky bottle stands on a table in the front parlor, and a dozen housecats lounge in various places within easy sight of the door. The smell of cat urine, boiled cabbage, and old whiskey makes a powerful combination you'd rather have done without.
"So what is it yeh'll want to be a'seein'?" asks Auntie innocently, trying to sweep the half-full bottle off onto the floor while you notice. "All the children are either right sick in their beds, or busy doin' chores an' i'm right sure none kin stop an' chat, as it please yeh."
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Fenchil still keeps back and doesn't ask any questions. Rather, he tries to get a feel of the scale of the place. He's seen a few kids outside, some cats, but he is trying to figure out how many children would be around this place.
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No is more surprised by Kellean's boldness than Kellean herself. Must act quickly and continue the momentum. Push through the break in the line.
"Madam, I assure you that I am quite skilled in the arts of healing, having studied at the Venicaan College of Medicaments and Chirurgery in Qadira before becoming a cleric of Sarenrae, the Healer, and a member of the Pathfinder Society. Even I, however, will need to see the patients before I can evaluate the adequacy of their treatments."
Taking charge. Brusk, pompous and arrogant - check.
Now, to fan out, distracting and confusing. She can't block all of us at once!
"Besides, I am sure that if we were to assist in the chores we would be able to talk to them at the same time: Many hands make light - and quick - work, after all. Castien - to the kitchen to assist Auntie Baltwin her tea preparations so that we may get out of her way as soon as possible. (His people are known the world over for their teas.) Fenchil - that way. Banon go that way to entertain the children, Culsar, upstairs with me."
"But first, here are the specially purchased apples and sweets for the children; I know one person, in particular, who would be greatly disappointed if they weren't directly given to the children," Kellean finishes sternly. Well, that person is me... "Everyone take some apples and sweets."
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"Don't compromise her authority now, she's got this under control." Fenchil is impressed with Kellean's performance, and in supports accepts her command and goes 'that way'. As soon as given the chance, he'll start searching the room for
anything out of place.
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Castien gags slightly at the stench and looks around at the debris littered around the room. He clears his throat, then asks, "What...chores...are the children doing, exactly? Or, more to the point, where? It doesn't seem to me that they're doing much here."
Auntie Baltwin stares at Castien, fire lighting her bloodshot eyes. "Now listen here, master elf. You doan talk ta me tha' way. I git enough smart talk in a day already."
The elderly lady is so flustered by Kellean's bluff that she can only stand and gawk, she chases Castien to the kitchen, barking at him in barely intelligible sentences.
In the kitchen there are several children washing and drying dishes or preparing the afternoon lunch.
Fenchil starts digging around in the closets downstairs. In addition to a couple of nearly empty liquor bottles stashed around, he stumbles on a cache of medicines and curatives. These appear to have been donated by a number of charitable organizations, but most appear unopened.
Upstairs, the sick ward contains 3-4 bedridden children,while farther down the hall, a few more play in a large day room. The sick children smile wanly as Kel and the devilsh Culsar enter.
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Kellean smiles warmly and walks into the room with the sick children, smiling warmly, sitting on the edge of the bed and patting a child on the knee. "Hello, my name is Kellean and I am with the Pathfinders, here on a mission from the temple of Sarenrae. Have a sweet and an apple - here, maybe Culsar's bird - a very smart and kind bird - can deliver the sweets to you." she tells them. "Now, tell me, how do you like it here? Are you getting better? Does Auntie Baltwin treat you well?"
As she talks to the children, she tries to determine if the illnesses are being treated adequately, and she looks around to see if anything else is amiss. (She is a bit distracted, however, but the suffering of the children.)
After attending to any needs of the sick children, she will then, will Culsar talk to the other children in the dayroom, delivering apples and sweets.
"She treats us okay." says one child. "She has healing magic she uses to make us feel better. It works some days, but it doesn't work other days." The illnesses could perhaps be treated better, but it looks as if all the children are going to survive and they seem happy even if sick. The children are quite receptive to the sweets and apples, most eating them greedily.
One small waif asks "When does Sarah get home? Can I have a treat for her too?"
Culsar notices a significant absence of medicines or curatives in the hospital ward. Normally the place would be full of such things, but they are noticeably absent.
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Fenchil notes the booze and multiple aid packages. "tsk, tsk. Does she need this much aid? And all this whiskey. This merchant Kellean was talking to wasnt horsing around"
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As the others began to explore the innards of the house, Banon made himself content to explore the grounds outside. Perhaps it was the snaggle tooth. Or perhaps it was the smell of old woman musk, but the ranger had enough of Auntie Baltwin's presence.
"Fion!"
Giving a shrill whistle to his bird, Banon called the falcon down to his outstretched hand as the two began to walk about the perimeter of the house, looking for anything amiss.
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After learning about Sarah, Kellean will walk do to the other boys and girls in the day room, asking the same questions.
Responding to Culsar's thought, Kellean suggests, "I don't think the problem with the place is what there is but how it is used, or not used. There is the cache of unused medicines found by Fenchil - and yet more whiskey bottles - and Culsar noticed the absence of such medicines where they needed and should be used. (Perhaps we could look around in the various trashes in and outside to see if they have simply been used and discarded.)"
"Still there is the question: where does the money come from for 'high-margin' whiskeys? Apparently, from the "shady types always a'comin' around, handin' her bags o' coins". That doesn't sound like the Silver Crusade or the church of Sarenrae! Perhaps whatever the children are when Auntie Baltwin sends them into town?"
"Street urchins have few honest ways to make money, and even Absalom has some standards, I would hope! Begging, or theft?" However, as soon as she makes this statement, she thinks of the slave pens of Absalom and shudders. One day...
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To summarize what I feel Kellean is saying, it sounds like she is selling something to these shady types, perhaps the medicine itself. That may explain why they are not where they belong, however I'm not sure we have enough proof, just a hunch. Culsar will look to the cleric to see if he is correct in his assumptions. If she is selling something, we need some type of record.
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"Indeed, Culsar," Kellean says. "Perhaps there is a record of illicit sales, though that seems unlikely, or perhaps there is a record - or lack there of - of where the money is coming from. I suppose that is a job for a skilled clerk, though."
Kellean considers the problem. "Well, our duty is to find out all we can and to report back what we find. Our best will have to do."
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"Short of shadowing auntie or waiting for the shady folk to come around - which may not be every day - that may be the best we can do"
"Shall we report back then?"
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Kellean
The sick little lad looks at Kellean uncomfortably. "I'm not supposed to tell..." he looks away, then suddenly decides to trust the nice lady with the candy and apples.
"Auntie sends her away every day. Her and the rest of the bigger kids. They have to go to work in stranger's houses. Cleaning and serving, is what Sarah says. She hates it, but Auntie makes her go every day. I wish she were here to get some sweets. Apples are her favorites."
He smiles at you timidly still a little unsure about telling, then coughs violently, spasms wracking his small frame. When the spell has passed, he closes his eyes, sleepily and drifts off.
Banon
Looking about the grounds, you find nothing peculiar, until you see a man coming up the gate. He has an empty satchel in his hands. When he sees you coming, he turns on his heel, and starts back towards the street.
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As the suspicious-looking man turned tail to run, Banon immediately raised an eyebrow as he steadily unslung his bow before giving a shout.
"Gonnae-no ur I'll s%&~!"
Notching an arrow to his bow, the ranger drew back as he honed in on the man's legs, intent on maiming the runner, or at least slowing him down.
The man is no warrior, and he slows then stops just at the garden gate. He slowly turns to you. "D-d-don't shoot me, I'm stopping. I'm stopping."
He's a lean, balding man with a greasy complexion and a tattered tunic. He sniffles a bit as turns to you.
"I'm just here as a courier, I don't want no trouble." he holds his hands out to you placatingly. "I'll just be on my way, with your permission. No harm done."
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"So Kellean, Culsar, what do you say we ask miss Baltwin directly? I'd be very interested in knowing how she would explain these circumstances. Also, we should note which other charities she receives aid from - I'm sure they'd like to be informed. "
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Castien, relegated to distracting Auntie Baltwin in the kitchen, does his best to show his ineptitude in making tea - not a difficult task, as it is his first time making it. After suffering Auntie's scathing glare, he wants nothing more than to retreat back to the Lodge. No, no - we've a task before us, and we must complete it.
Banon
The man shakes a little, but answers. "Picking up, sir, if it p-p-p-please you. I am picking up some medicines, healing tonics and p-p-p-potions and what not. I work for an apothecary who buys such medicines from this old woman. Where she gets them from, I'v no idea. I can see she has guests, so I'll just come back another time, with your permission, sir."
He starts slowly backing away from you toward the gate. Once he reaches it does a clumsy little bow, then turns and runs from the place, as fast as he feet will carry him.