"Everyone gets a solicitor" says Valrani calmly. She inspects the signature on the form, taking note of who it is who was authorising the raid.
She sizes up the lead Dottari, trying to think about what he might actually be wanting.
But she has no clue.
"Obviously we don't want to stand in the way of legitimate authorities working within the law. Perhaps we could sit down for a moment or two over a coffee to discuss the search?" she asks, gesturing for Laria to bring something to drink over to their table.
"I know you are working hard at keeping the city safe, and may not have had time for something to help recover your strength yet this morning."
Sense motive
Still watching from afar, Oren tries to determine if these troops are bored, greedy, or had some other weakness that the group might exploit without coming to actual blows.
Morricone looks up from his morning coffee, it had been a long, hard night of gambling with his "other friends", a noble rebell has to keep appearances and smoothly strolls over. "Well, well, it seems there is a bit of a misunderstanding. This is a bakery, and you are definetly ruining my morning coffee."
"But I couldn´t miss your words, and to be honest, this is a crying shame. You were mislead. This is not the place you are looking for, we are patriotic people here and follow the rules of the thrice damned house of Thrune and also always the rules of our faith. Mylady, give those gentleman each a roast of your finest, and some of your sweet rolls, so that they can see this is a place of good foods. And from my side, so that I can continue with my breakfast, a token of my support for the protectors of our city!"
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The dottari look at Morricone and smile at the polite newcomer:"Glad you understand citizen... I guess searching this place can wait until we sample its wares..."
(Versatile Performance (Ex): At 2nd level, a bard can choose one type of Perform skill. He can use his bonus in that skill in place of his bonus in associated skills. When substituting in this way, the bard uses his total Perform skill bonus, including class skill bonus, in place of its associated skill's bonus, whether or not he has ranks in that skill or if it is a class skill.
In this case perform oratory for diplomacy and sense motive.
Nodding Morricone smiles at the dottari."We are upright citizens of her imperial majesty, may her life and reign be forever. It is just a shame, that the time of our upright peace and lawbringers is wasted by those who try to better themselfes by writing untruthful letters, to shift the blame to upright, moral citizens and hide in the shadows of their lies and subterfuge."
Seeing Morricone disarming the situation with the leader of the Dottari, Lirotha decides it might be time to make a friend! Gathering up her cards she motions to get the attention of one Dotarri that looks bored, distracted, or maybe a bit slovenly.
"Psst! Hey! Yes...you. Care for a free Harrowing your worship? The owner of this shop pays me in coffee and cakes to offer free Harrowings to customers and guests of the establishment on days like today. I'm sure that extends to officers and protectors of the city! What's your name Sir?"
While Morricone distracts the Dottari, Rocco quietly makes his way toward the back rooms of the coffee house.
Once he's found a quiet and secluded spot, he lays out and lights the candles and draws the chalk diagrams involved in the ritual to fully manifest Kurglunn. A minute later, the phantom stands before him, his body translucent and wispy, rather than hulking and dripping with ectoplasmic goo. As Kurglunn appears, Rocco quickly signals for the phantom to remain quiet as he gives him some instructions.
With his plan in place, he makes his way back out into the main seating area and takes his seat at a table next to Lirotha's. Watching as she invites the Dottari over for a reading and smirking at the thought of how well this could work into his plan.
Talon walks in after the dottari guards and walks by Morricone. Whispering as he goes by "Nicely done my friend."
Then walks over to a nice table off to the side, next to Lirotha's table and waves down a waitress t bring him some coffee, gives a subtle nod to Lirotha in approval. Then slowly sips at his coffee as he waits, watching the actions of the guards while they're around.
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Talon carefully observes the guards and doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary about them.
"True that! You wouldn't believe the things people will accuse each other... Last week we had people claiming their neighbours of sacrificing tiefling children to some unspeakable entity from beyond... Of course we got to the bottom of the matter and found out it was all a lie... We had to punish the whole family for being outright liars!" answers the guard, clearly persuaded by Morricone's argument.
"Since you are law abiding citizens and this was clearly just another attempt at slander we'll accept your invitation to sample the goods they sell here and then go on with our rounds... As for the harrowing.. it's a heaten practice but it's not been outlawed so... why not?" he adds as the other dottari sit down next to him and wait for Lirotha to begin her harrowing.
Sensing that the guards seem convinced by Morricone's story, Rocco lays low, continuing to behave as nothing more than a simple patron of the coffee house. From time to time, he glances over at Lirotha as she provides her reading and shakes his head disbelieving, but he mostly minds his own business.
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With dramatic flair Lirotha shuffles and lays out the Dottari's cards!
"Place you hands son the table my sweet, but do not touch the cards! The Harrow tell tales of the possible future to come! Warnings these often are! Dark times often mean dark futures...Mark and remember!"
= The ECLIPSE!
-A dark disc in front of the sun makes it cast red light. A scared man runs from undead rising from the ground.
= The WANDERER!
-A centaur carrying all manners of equipment.
= The PUBLICAN!
-A cyclops pouring beer from a mug to another. A man lies unconscious at his feet.
"Did I not say it so! LOOK! The Eclipse! The city has fallen to shadow and intrigue! Supernatural forces are at play! Beware! Next: The Wanderer! An obtuse card...but I see its meaning! Have you not heard of the Kintargo Hound? A man of self-serving hate for all things Thrune! A Vigilante that stalks the dark alleys and byways, trying to undermine the rightful Lord and Law of this city! Beware this wanderer! He see you all before you will ever see him! Beware his might, and his deadly dagger in the dark...NEXT: The Publican. Oh yes. Oh my. Which are you? Will you fight for Kintargo...to the last as the man has done? Or will you give into the temptation of 'the people' and be part of the tearing down of Kintargo!? Will you forget who you are Dottari, and BE the monster in the room!"
Wavering slightly, as if coming out of a trance, Lirotha will lean back in her chair suddenly as if a great effort was expended!
"I'm sorry gentlemen! The Harrow drew me in, and...almost didn't let me go! Such a powerful vision...but I can say for certain: Beware the Hound of Kintargo! Fear him! But stop him you must. Forgive me...I...I...must rest."
Oren felt herself relax a bit as the others seemed to have the situation well in hand. Most of them couldn't take a punch from a zombie, but they had a broad range of skills in other areas. She was duly impressed with the team.
Talon raises his eyebrow, the only sign of surprise then takes a sip of coffee to cover his shock at Lirotha's mention of The Hound of Kintargo.
Talon raises his eyebrow, the only sign of surprise then takes a sip of coffee to cover his shock at Lirotha's mention of The Hound of Kintargo.
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The dottari are suitably impressed by Lirotha's performance and swear to serve Kintargo and Barzillai Thrune with their last breath. They also thank Lirotha for the warning about the Hound of Kintargo. They'll make sure to warn their fellow dottari and be extra vigilant against the wily vigilante.
After eating Laria's pastries, drinking her coffe and complimenting the halfling for the splendid quality of her products the dottari depart Long Roads Coffehouse, fully satisfied that the letter they received was just a slander against law abiding citizens.
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The rest of the week passes without further crisis although you wonder about the identity of the person who wrote the missive denouncing Laria's shop as an hotbed of sedition.
Anyway you speng your time making sure the revolutions grows stronger and stronger.
During the week you also spend your time listening for nteresting rumors. A few seem particularly interesting and significant.
After sharing what they learnt the Silver Ravens had to decide which lead to pursue...
"Interesting news about Clenchjaw's tavern..." sighs Valrani.
"It may be worth spending some time there watching things to see if we can spot any provocateurs..."
As the wander counts out her share of the takings from the crypt, she starts to think about what she might spend her cash on.
Lirotha paces and shakes her head as she talks to the others.
"No. These are all interesting leads, but I'm truly worried we need to focus on our harasser! Whomever wrote that letter, and whomever started undermining our facilities...we need to catch THAT person and put a stop into their shenanigans! It's almost like he's playing with us! Taunting us! We can't keep ignoring it!"
"Unless... they want us to expose ourselves by doing something noteworthy..." notes Valrani
At night at predetermined times and places, The Hound checks in with the Ravens to share gathered information and what the next steps against Thrune will be. On one such night on a rooftop near the Coffeehouse he says in his trademark gravelly voice "Redroof and Temple Hill are starting to boil over. Gang activity is increasing and threatening innocents. It might have nothing to do with Thrune, but it can't be ignored. If they erupt we'll have our hands full against them and the Dottari. Besides... if we can somehow gain the gangs as allies..." he lets the thought hang in the air for everyone to think on.
"I think the hound has a good point, but also, if we want to be beacons of hope, we must bring hope! And joy. I think that it would also be wise that every one of us has an alias. I will be the rose of the resistance!"
"Damn gangs. Always causing more trouble than they're worth," Rocco curses, his face full of concern as he hears the news of the gang war beginning to boil over in Redroof and Temple Hill. "My family's place, the Rose and Thorn, is in Redroof. Been there for years. Ever since old gramps got his freedom from that old merchant's son." He paces back and forth as he considers the other options, but it's clear there is only one choice in his mind. "Right. Let's go show those punks what a real beating looks like!"
"Then let us sort out the gangs. Not that the authorities with all their power have been able to do so. Still, if we could turn them against the authorities rather than each other..."
Scowling at being overridden, Lirotha snaps her fingers and comments with a small scowl.
"If we must deal with the gangs then we need to get as much information as we can on the gangs themselves and what is going on between them currently. Temple Hill is heavy on Clerics...I wonder if these gangs have religious affiliations? Also, like Val suggested, the gangs could be a good resource of local discontents that would aid the rebellion if we can point them in the right direction. We should never overlook allies wherever or whenever we can safely acquire them!"
Know. Local Aid
Oren goes looking for some of her old customers, wondering if they heard about the gang issues and any possible causes or factors that could lead to the violence.
Asking Talon to get him a different set of clothes to work the streets
Morricone will the day after moving the streets in more drap clothes and asks questions.
Talon agree's that during the day he'll throw on more mundane travel attire to join the group, he's sure that their mutual friend with the canine moniker works best at night, but also may in fact be monitoring their activities even now.
Diplomacy Aid
Rocco does his best to connect with some of his old street rat friends and see if they know anything about the recent gang activity.
Valrani, still thinking about her shopping, is happy to chime in. "You have been so helpful. Do you think you could suggest..."
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Laria's takes a bit of convincing but in the end relents and promises to use the resources of the Bellflower Network at your benefit. Turns out the band responsible for the recent problems is called the Red Jills. A collective of thugs who specialize in muggings, theft, and generalized bullying, the small band of thieves has eluded the law for years thanks to a combination of luck, secrecy, and maintenance of a small enough membership that Kintargo never felt the need to bring the full force of its dottari down on it. With recent events, the Red Jills have apparently increased their activity. The thieves have grown increasingly aggressive, and muggers and thugs wearing the signature red cloaks of the gang have become more and more common. They almost exclusively target regular citizens—any dressed in the colors of the dottari or the Chelish Citizens’ Group are left alone. Through this discretion, the Red Jills are essentially capitalizing on the city’s situation for their own advantage, and Thrune’s government doesn't seem to care much if at all. Recruiting them into the Silver Ravens could be useful but Laria thinks the thieves are less interested in restoring order than in preying on the chaos.
The last piece of information Laria provides is possibly the most important one if the Silver Ravens want to stop the Red Jill's rampage. The gang supposedly keeps a hideout somewhere on the eastern slopes of Temple Hill. Which means that's the place the Ravens need to start investigating...
"What do you all think," Rocco asks the assembled Ravens after Laria tells them what she knows. "Sounds like it could be an opportunity for us to play a bit of dress-up. Maybe disguise ourselves as people wanting to become initiates of the Jills and figure out the deal from the inside."
"Or we could present ourselves as easy targets and convince them to introduce us to their superiors when we turn out to be less than an easy target," Oren suggested, as an alternative n
"Hmmm...the cards are unclear here. Sounds to me like the Jill's leader has reason to be made dead quite quick. A simple assassination with with some sort of proof going back to the Thrunies should keep them quiet for a while. Do the Red Jill's have a rival gang?"
"Perhaps making some of us easy marks we can do some recon where their supposed hideous is and then see where that takes us and perhaps formulate a plan once we have more information. we could lay a trap for them?"