Silent for a while now, Lirotha speaks up finally.
"We're in a bad spot my pretties. We need to focus: One thing at a time. Let's finish rescuing Mel's old friend, then we can work on the rest. Let's find out what we can about this 'Aula Tanessen' priestess and where she may be lurking. I just hope we don't have to assault the temple of Asmodeus. That place is a fortress!"
Unconsciously making an old Varisian hand-sign to get rid of evil, Lirotha turns to Laria.
"We are in a slight hurry here I think. Laria, do you have any contacts that can help us get the info we need quickly without exposing you or your links to us?"
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Rocco tries to think back and recall anything he can about Tanessen, but, though the name sounds vaguely familiar, he can't remember anything specific about her.
"Even priestesses sleep" noted Fargrim.
"And I doubt they spend all their waking and sleeping hours at the Temple. My guess is she has lodgings somewhere. Otherwise how will she get out and about town to have folk scared of her. Let's find out where and see if we can arrange a nasty surprise for her."
Talon asks one of the waitresses "Sorry dear. I wish to have a private word with Laria. Could you please be so kind and to let her know that Mr Bishop is here to see her about a rather urgent matter. Thank you kindly." he says with a disarming smile.
"ALWAYS more coffee dear. I wouldn't get through most of my nights without the house blend." he says with a smile.
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"Ehm... Mr Bishop there's no need... ehrm... excuse me!" says the halfling girl suddenly suspicious. She turns away from Talon and runs towards Laria's office.
After a few minutes she comes out of it with Laria and the rest of the people who solved the case of the mystery murders in the Devil's Nursery in tow. For a moment it seems like Talons got what he wanted, yet he suddenly realizes the shop has gone silent and the last few costumers have vacated it, seemingly in a hurry. What's left is Laria, her friends and the members of the staff, all wielding some sort of weapon surround Talon from every side.
As Talon considers his situation, Laria clears her throat:"So, Mr Bishop is it? Elly here tells me you wanted to talk to me and even tried to bribe her to get to me faster. That looks mighty suspicious if you don't mind me saying it. Anyway... here I am, so tell us what is that you want. Just make sure each and every word you utter is the truth, otherwise you might find yourself in trouble"
Talon holds his hands up in a surrendering gesture but doesn't look fearful at the current situation, though he does look a bit surprised.
Regaining his composure he lowers his arms and clears his throat before continuing.
"Trouble? I would never look for trouble, well at least not with the new rebellion set on freeing Kintargo. That would be you fine folk correct?" he says scanning the group "You are a colourful bunch. But no, Laria dear, you've nothing to fear from me. In fact I come to offer some assistance. I have an associate, whom I occasionally give financial aid to in his persuit of protecting the the people of Kintargo.
The threat that Barzillai Thrune represents is on a much larger scale and joining forces seems like the best course to get results." he motions for everyone to take a seat. "Please sit a moment."
The man's smooth and unruffled demeanor in such a situation puts Lirotha a bit at ease. She moves back and sits down in a chair with a good distance between her and the strangely rugged looking man, just so she can get a spell off in case he does something unexpected.
"We should search him. He could be an agent of some 'nefarious' organization. Hmmm?"
"If he is an agent of a 'nefarious organisation', then he probably has backup close by." points out Valrani, checking the windows.
"Maybe he should just speak and tell us what he wants to say."
Takin sits there in a white shirt beneath a blue coat and black lleggings and boots. Dark Hair tied back away from his eyes face chiseled face with slight signs of a 5 o'clock shadow already. Kind looking brown eyes.
"Very well." he says, sitting forward in his seat. "The Hound of Kintargo. You've heard of him yes? I work with him. Not in any physical capacity of course but I fund his endeavors and believe in his mission, as I do yours. And he told me what a fine job you did of the murderous tooth fairies recently. After seeing you all in action he believes that together you all can achieve much in freeing Kintargo, and he would like to meet this evening." Then looks to Lirotha. "If you are interested."
and
Valrani smiles softly to herself.
"So your.. ahhh, 'friend' would like to meet us tonight to discuss working together? Is there a reason he didn't come himself? "
Talon raises an eyebrow to Valrani "She's an observant one."
"Well I'm a regular here anyway for one thing. And second, it would be a sight of a known vigilante and opposer of the Thrunes walked into a coffee shop in broad daylight mask and all. and tell me if a masked man with weapons being here wouldn't have set you all spell's-a-slinging and swords-a-waving. I offered to come instead. See I'm the talker, and coffee appreciator."
He pauses as if realizing something. Then...
"Speaking of, may I have that coffee dear? I'm awfully parched and it has been a minute."
"I've never met a hero that has a 'front man,' so to speak. But I have heard of this 'Hound" of which you speak. I'd like to speak to him to be sure you are who you say you are, however."
"Meet-schmeet. You need to...wha? Hound of Kintargo? What is that Sweets? Some sort of small yapping Hell Hound who piddles fire on command of a Thrune?"
Talon gets a serious look on his face. Then relaxes. "Meet him and find out." he replies with a wink. Then leans back and talks to the waitress "About that coffee miss...?"
Rocco leans against the wall just beside the door to Laria's office, watching the man carefully, in his hand a pinch of cotton fibers, ready to fly with a spell if the stranger makes any untoward moves. When he mentions the Hound of Kintargo, he rolls his eyes. "'Vigilante and opposer of the Thrones,' huh? Puh-lease! The Hound of Kintargo? He's little more than a thief and a rabble-rouser. I should know, that's what I did before I hooked up with you lot," he says, nodding at Laria. "If this fella says he's a friend of the Hound, I don't see any harm in him setting up a meeting."
Talon chuckles at that. "Haha. I like you. Straightforward and to the point."
Standing back because he feels like the new kid in the choir, Morricone shakes his head sadly."Never heard of any Hound of Kintaro. And the church of Asmodeus always hunts rabblerousers. But they are usually more clever, more efficient in their ways! So, I have had my shares of secret meetings, who hasn´t, and what place and time would you say would be a good to meet that one?"
"Perhaps he could come to the coffee house after dark? We could lay on coffee for him. If he didn't want to be seen, there is the alley out the back for the trash..." suggests Valrani.
"That's as good a suggestion as any. Though I would think being away from your base of operations would be better. But if it makes everyone feel safer then I will propose it to him."
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Laria stays silent as the conversation unfolds before her. She just nods as one of her henchalflings whispers something at her ear. Then she speaks:"Seems like Mr Bishop really is here alone. And I know about the Hound of Kintargo. Decent work he does. So, while I'd suggest caution I'd also say you should give him a chance to prove he's on the right side of the coming revolution... He's a regular after all and I'm loathe having to kill a good costumer"
In the alley, Lirotha has situated herself a little away from the group and is mumbling while sitting on a blanket. Eyes rolled back
in her head as if in a fugue state, Lirotha's ancient Harrow deck is out in her hands being shuffled and re-shuffled. Suddenly she
stops, her eyes closed she draws three cards:
= The Winged Serpent!
= The Crows!
= The Paladin!
"ALL! The Harrow speaks! The first represents the current situation, the second represents obstacles to a person's goal, the third shows
the outcome. I...think we should seriously listen to this Hound my pretties! He could be the key to our success! The Serpent represents the
rising forces in Kintargo, the Crows...that's us: The Silver Ravens. The Paladin? That's the Hound. We need to work with this man...not
against him. He could lead us...the city... to success!"
Leaping off the rooftop of the Coffeehouse and somersaults across the gap between the alleyway and ricochets off one wall and the other slowing down his decent until he lands right in the middle of the alleyway.
The Hound of Kintargo has arrived.
He stands slowly. Dark blue cloak over a coat. Matching fedora and mask across his face. Eyes obscured by shadows.
"Well met." he says in a gravelly voice.
Gathering her cards, Lirotha stands and walks casually toward the sudden stranger.
"So...you LOOK impressive. Can you be what the city needs?"
Pulling one of the cards from her Harrow draw, she dramatically tosses it to him. Catching it would be a simple matter.
"The Paladin. Fate speaks...always. Will you listen? Can you be the Hero this city needs? The one it deserves?"
Oren smiles s she greets the newcomer. "I've heard about your tales, Hound. Nice to make your acquaintance. I've never worn a mask, but I have to know, doesn't it affect your peripheral vision? I'd worry about people sneaking up on me from the side," she adds. She quiets down so the others can meet and greet, but she keeps staring at that stylish mask.
Lirotha, suddenly a bit petulant for no real reason, pipes up again at Oren's question.
"I've already said we NEED to get masks too..."
She then thoughtlessly kicks a small rock in the frustration of the moment.
"Nobody listens to ME of course..."
The Hound reaches out and catches the card and looks at it then back to Lirotha
"I'm no paladin. Just a man trying to do what's right."
He takes a few steps forward into the moonlight and you when he looks up you can see that the mask covers the lower part of his face and walks up to Lirotha and hands her her card back. And looks her in the eyes for a moment then turns to Oren and answers her.
"I find I can see just fine. Pleasure." he nods to her, tipping his fedora.
He takes a step back and looked everyone over.
"Thank you all for meeting me. I've been hearing about the good you've done. And saw the aftermath of your battle with the tooth fairies. That's not something to scoff at. With Thrune in control of the city my work is cut out for me and think that we can help each other and be more effective together at kicking those demon worshippers out of here."
Hearing Lirotha speak of Masks, Morricone nods."Actually masks are a fine idea, if you ask me! I envision myself in a dashing midnight blue vest with a matching dandys hat." Moving over to the hound he bows slightly and addresses the masked vigilante.
But well met Mister Hound. But actually, you know... never say demon worshipper to a clergy of Asmodeus or a follower of house thrune. There is a difference. And you should know they take those things VERY seriously. I prefer getting my throat cut to be tortured to death for words like that."
The Hound tips his fedora to Morricone. "Indeed Mister...? But let us hope that never happens to anyone in present company."
As the Hound enters the alley and steps toward Lirotha, a halfling seemingly materializes from the shadows behind him, his own face covered with a mask bearing the visage of a howling, blood-thirsty orc. In one hand he holds a drawn kukri, in the other, a ball of cotton fluff, ready to cast at the stranger. "My friend here is right, you make an impressive entrance. As for masks, they serve a purpose, but so does the element of surprise."
Just as Rocco ends his statement, a ghastly figure emerges from the wall to the Hound's left. The apparition seems to have orc-like features, though they are twisted in an unclear form by the perpetual fear written into its features. The phantom looms up beside the Hound, ready to strike with its long arms the thickness of tree limbs. "New man friend for Rocco? Or new man try to make trick? Try to hurt Rocco? Tell Kurglunn truth!"
The Hound somehow doesn't spot Rocco and when Rocco shows up its totally by surprise and then the creature known as Kurglunn also appears catching The Hound by surprise. In reaction Hound pulls out his pistol from beneath his coat and holds the barrel to Kyrglunn's head. The Hounds eyes are wide looking at the apparition.
"What in the nine hells is that?!" he says taking a step back from Kurglunn.
Rocco's head tilts slightly to the side as the Hound draws his weapon and levels it at Kurglunn. "Well that's an odd little toy, isn't it? What do you call that thing? Oh, and you may wanna get it out of my friend's face before he gets worked up. People usually don't fare too well if he gets worked up."
He sheathes his kukri and stows his spell component, then calls out to Kurglunn. "Hey, scaredy cat! Why don't you back off a bit? I don't think this guy means to do us wrong." The phantom lowers his arms and backs away, then drifts over to Rocco's side, still carefully watching the masked man. "So," Rocco says, "We've got someone we're trying to save from some insane witch of a priestess of Asmodeus. How 'bout we'll call that a trial run for you newbies?"
"That's a pistol, or gun." The Hound says as he holsters his pistol and watches Kurglunn float over to Rocco. "The truth is I want Thrune out of my city. By any means necessary. Will that suffice?" he then looks at everyone. "Let's go save your friend."