"Can you not simply let Neko know we need the others and have her let them know, or is the distance too great?"
"The distance is too great," she whispered back.
"ok, too bad," he whispers... he takes out a couple of potions. "Want me to go in and let you in the front door? or try to carry you in? I have two potions of invisibility, so we can both be unseen if we try that method.. normally what I carry can go with me, but I've never tried to carry another person that way."
"Jiro, this Mwangi woman hires assassins. I can only assume with her talents, her poisons and guards we would be grossly outnumbered and we will fall, too, invisible or not. Let me go, fly as fast as my wings will take me to bring the others. Do not enter, alone, I beseech you."
Seijiro nods and agrees, despite his reluctance to leave Dhaavan alone in there. He whispers to Rain. "I'll wait for your return."
As soon as she's back on the ship, Rain will call Neko to her and have the golden cat send out telepathic messages to those within 100ft of the ship, if not everyone is back by the time Rain gets to the ship. She may notice others as she is flying overhead.
Message to be relayed via telepathy to those not on ship: Dhaavan in trouble. Meet at apothecary, post haste!
Rain flies back to the ship and let's them know what is going on. Neko says I believe Flynn was going to visit some halfling that he visited last time. You could also try a sending if one of the group have the spell today.
Neko nods and goes sprinting off as only a cat can with assurances that she will search the dockside taverns.
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Horatio, you make your way to the halfling warehouse only to discover that it was burned to the ground in a fire not two days ago. You go to gather information from the people around before finding out that it seemed to be an accident, something about how it was storing dangerous substances and something happened. Several buildings around the warehouse have scorch marks on them to that effect.
Discouraged that your lead here has evaporated, you begin to head back to the ship when you see Rain flying overhead.
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Variel, you are talking to some men when a loud mental shout pierces your brain. CAPTAIN NIGHTSTORM! Assuming you respond in any way the voice, whom you now recognize as Neko continues, saying The reconnaissance of the apothecary did not go well. Lord Fellwind has been captured and it does not seem good. Rain is looking for you and telling everyone to meet at the Apothecary as soon as possible.
Seijiro, itching to go incorporeal and slip through the wall invisible, overcomes that urge and waits impatiently in the alley next to the building, watching for the others to arrive or Rain's return, whichever comes first.
A dark skinned, Mwangi gentleman turns a corner and begins walking toward Seijiro. He is holding a small package in his left hand. His long, dirty dreadlocks dangle in front of his face making it nearly impossible to see his expression. His upper half is covered partially by a ragged, leather vest that is filled with crude fetishes. Tattoos color the entirety of his skinny, dark arms. A wooden symbol of Gozreh rests on his bare chest, hanging from a string around his neck. He appears to be talking to himself as he advances with a slight limp. When Seijiro looks down, he sees one rather dirty, bare foot protruding from his long burlap skirt, but it is the other foot that catches the pirate's attention. It appears to be skeletal, lacking flesh.
He continues to approach. "Wut ya mean, Shakka?" He listens for a bit then responds to himself. "Nuh, Nuh, Nuh. Jamba thinkin da sistren be bad mojo." He stops suddenly about 15 feet from the hidden "rogue". "Was dat ya sayin?" He parts his dreads with his free hand and leans forward, squinting his eyes to see better. "Who a dere?"
Suddenly, a hidious looking "bird" appears on the man's shoulder. Perched awkwardly, this strange "bird" stares at Seijiro with a glint of intellect in its empty eyes. "CAW! We see you! CAW!"
Seijiro's eyes open wider as he realizes he's been spotted... and he puts a finger to his mouth and whispers, "Shhhh... Dunno who you are but don't want anyone else to see or hear me."
The man changes his tone to a whisper, "Quiet dere Shakka. Hiddin' mon tryin' ta be hush, hush." He casts a quick spell and then points at Seijiro. He mumbles inaudibly with his lips, but Jiro hears the man plainly in his mind, "Name a Jamba. Wat be da secrecy mon? You no wanna mess wit' dis sistren all lonesome. Bad mojo dis one. Very dangerous, dangerous." He motions to the apothecary.
Seijiro whispers back through the message spell... after taking a long moment or two to puzzle out the meaning of Jamba's message through their much different takes on the common tongue... "I'm Seijiro.. I'm watching this place and waiting for friends... we have a friend inside we have to rescue. You seem to know about this woman... what can you tell me about her?"
You go to gather information from the people around before finding out that it seemed to be an accident, something about how it was storing dangerous substances and something happened.
The blue-gray color of Horatio’s eyes seem to pale to a filthy, murky color as he considers this information, his gaze drifting eastward to where the Slave Pens are located, but he says nothing.
Amen-set’s eyes widen in growing shock at the smoldering rage which seems to tremble from Horatio’s body, despite his silence.
Horatio then turns to Amen-set and his look silences any possible protest from her lips.
”Thank you for that information,” he says politely, yet without any trace of emotion.
”I am truly disappointed that this dreadful accident has occurred.”
”We shall pay our respects to the injured parties, of course.”
”Indeed, everything that has transpired will receive our full attention and be dealt with properly,” he adds with a brittle voice as Amen-set sucks in her breath at his tone.
He bows to the informant and gives them a small collection of twenty gold pieces for their trouble.
Discouraged that your lead here has evaporated, you begin to head back to the ship when you see Rain flying overhead.
Amen-set turns to look at Rain flying overhead and Horatio sees her as well.
”It seems the Pilot-Major is in trouble; likely the First Officer is, too,” he says to her.
”Come; we must find them and then whatever trouble they need us to help her with.”
He turns to Amen-set and nods and the two of them rush off to where they saw Rain flying from.
”What shall we do when we find reunite with my nebet-i and my Imi-ib?” she asks him as they go dashing through the streets.
Horatio barely spares her a glance as he charges toward the Apocothery, guessing that Dhaavan was probably there and very likely in trouble, but even so, he is able to respond to her –
”After we see what trouble they have found, then we shall have a killing…”
Variel et al, during one of the recruiting trips in the taverns you suddenly hear Neko in your head, yelling to head to the Apothecary. Dhaavan being in trouble.
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Rain, you make your way back towards the apothecary, and see Flynn on his way back with Amen. They had stopped in at a stand to buy lunch, strips of heavily spiced grilled chicken.
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Hearing the message in his head and knowing that it is Neko Variel gives a quick mental response back. [i]Understood leaving now with Adular. Thanks Neko [/b]. Turning back to the 3-4 men next to him. Sorry men have to go. Told you we were a group that never backed down from anything. Meet me on the Lady later for the full story and a job. With that Variel grabs Adular and nods his head. Time to go and pray we won't be needing your services too much.
Grabbing a street urchin Variel fishes out a gold, Bring us to the Mwangi woman's apothecary quickly and this is yours.
Also, current map has been updated next to my avatar.
Also, current map has been updated next to my avatar.
"I'm Seijiro.. I'm watching this place and waiting for friends... we have a friend inside we have to rescue. You seem to know about this woman... what can you tell me about her?"
Jamba moves closer to Seijiro, continuing to use the message spell. He looks around to make sure no one is spying on the conversation. His position gives the rogue a better look at Shakka. The bird's hollow eyes stare at him.
"Oh...bad, bad juju fah ya bredren." He places his empty hand on his brow and shakes his head back and forth. "Sistren Zarskia skilled wit da poisons. If ya bredren crossed da Mistress, it be bad."
He pauses and then continues, "Jamba been workin' fah sistren lil while. No likey. Cruel, cruel. Sistren pay Jamba good an' give rare items fah spells. I an I... He points to himself and then the bird on his shoulder. "...needin' ta lose dese land legs dough."
He leans in even closer, "Why ya bredda go in dere? Wat ya bidness wit da Mistress? Dese ya herbs?" He holds up the small package he is carrying in his right hand.
"Aye, it's bad. He went there to get information... it must have gone south from there. They took him to a laboratory to bind and gag him. Since you work for her, will you tell me where in the building this room might be? Perhaps you might find a berth if you're willing to help us, if that's what you're seeking." He nervously watches the street and the sky, as he talks, only sometimes looking right at Jamba.
"Ya an' ya..." He points to Seijiro and the building, "ownin' a ship? I an' I willin' ta help fah spot. Jamba cookin' da tasty, tasty meals an' castin' da powerful magics." He turns his head to look at his bird then nods. "Jamba nevah been pass da front room. I an' I have a da magics to disappear an' teleport dough. Jamba tinks I an' I can be gettin' ya an' ya bredrens inside. Sistren no friend ta Jamba. Sides, Jamba needin' fresh bones an' innards fah spells."
Also, current map has been updated next to my avatar.
You can rearrange it after you all meet together but all windows are shuttered and nailed shut. They can be broken but it's not easy and will definitely draw unwanted attention.
Grabbing a street urchin Variel fishes out a gold, Bring us to the Mwangi woman's apothecary quickly and this is yours.
Out of the corner of his eye, Variel can see a flash of gold and then the familiar bright emerald green eyes of Rain's golden cat. In his mind Variel hears, //I know where it is. Follow me, betrothed of my mistress.//
With that, Neko does not "speak" again and simply runs through the stalls and streets, toward the apothecary, readily following her mistress' recent scent.
Rain, you make your way back towards the apothecary, and see Flynn on his way back with Amen. They had stopped in at a stand to buy lunch, strips of heavily spiced grilled chicken.
Satisfied that Neko would reach those that she could not with the message to come, Rain took to the air and began flying swiftly back toward the apothecary. Se spied Flynn and Amen and signalled with her hand in the direction of the apothecary.
A handful of minutes had passed and Rain landed at the corner of the streets where the apothecary was situated and furled her leathery dragon wings about her.
From her position by the covered alcove, she spied a strange, dark-skinned human, and, drawing her pike (it's not fully extended - just normal length at present), she began to approach steadily, quietly, in order to determine if he was friend or foe. Soon the others will arrive, she thought to herself.
A whispering voice comes out of nowhere, but near the stranger, "Welcome back, Rain... this is Jamba, and he's willing to help us, we'll discuss why after we've dealt with the woman inside, but he can get us in, are the others on their way?"
The Elf's turquoise eyes rested on the strange human, Jamba, a moment longer as to determine for herself his intention.
In the direction of Jiro's whisper, she returned in equal low tones, "Aye, they will be here very soon."
Edging a little closer but still keeping to the shadows of the buildings lest she is readily seen, Rain approaches and finds a discreet place to stand and wait. Her pike is still in hand, not yet ready to trust the stranger called Jamba.
"Jiro, can you try to see inside again as you did before? I would know what is happening at present, please."
Casting his own message spell, this time to include both Rain and Jamba, Seijiro replies "I can look, but they moved Dhaavan to a laboratory, and I don't know where that is in the building, I doubt there is anything of interest left beyond this one wall."
And yet, he complies and sets his hands against the building's side and again looks beyond the wall to see what remains in that room.
Jamba's onyx eyes stare at the newcomer through long, nappy dreadlocks. "How yuh do, Rain?" He turns back to Seijiro. "Dey spectin' Jamba anytime. I an' I can get dem open door den ya an' ya can bull rush in. If Jamba get ta ya bredda, he can teleport dem out. Dat be if ya wanna grab an' go. If ya wanna kill dem an' take dere stuff, dat be anodder story." He gives a crooked smile from the shadow of his bangs.
whispering still through the message link "Forcing our way in when you get them to open the door sounds like something our cap'n'd go for. WE'll wait for him to get here and then try that, unless he has a better idea. Rain's our pilot, by the way... you have any different ideas, Rain?"
"The dread lady's crew are the best there is. And the ones here now are the best of the best... Wanna tell what you know about this Zarskia so we can know how to deal with her?"
Jamba adds the entire group to the message spell. "Mistress quick, quick an' be wearin' da silvery metal chain shirt wit two swords on da hips. Beautiful Mwangi sistren, but dangerous, dangerous."
Time to go and pray we won't be needing your services too much.
Adular moves with him, "Grand, just grand," He says concern under the feigned optimism.
Jamba adds the entire group to the message spell. "Mistress quick, quick an' be wearin' da silvery metal chain shirt wit two swords on da hips. Beautiful Mwangi sistren, but dangerous, dangerous."
Horatio listens to the man with a flat expression, clearly not sure of this newcomer quite yet.
He turns and looks at the building with sealed doors and the barred windows and his lip curves with a sardonic smile.
"You know, when you want to catch a venomous snake there are better ways then going into its lair."
He pulls out a cheroot and bites the end off and spits it out.
Then he puts the end between his teeth and with a wave of his hand a spark ignites on its end.
"Sometimes its better to smoke them out..." he says as his eyes gleam strangely, then he turns to the others.
"Begging your pardon, I was just thinking aloud... Of course, if you wish to rush into the doorway there as a group - well... that might work, too."
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Arriving in a huff with Adular in tow Variel quickly hears the situation and makes his decision. While smoking them out may work Horatio we don't have that luxury of time. Dhaavan has already been in there almost and hour. We need to act now and free him. IF Jamba says he can get us in then do so and we all rush in. Jiro, Rain and I will focus on any guards. Horatio and Adular, your primary concern is Dhaavan but don't get separated from us.
Jamba's onyx eyes stare at the newcomer through long, nappy dreadlocks. "How yuh do, Rain?"
"I am doing well enough under the circumstances, Jamba. But I am not the one inside, being held by the Mwangi woman and her guards."
It was then Jiro asked if she wanted to storm inside as Jamba had suggested but before Rain could answer she heard Jiro give account of the skill of the Lady's crew and Rain approved.
Out of the corner of her eye, Rain spied Neko running toward her and leaping up on one of the barrels near her waiting place in the alcove. The golden cat's emerald eyes fixed on the stranger with the long, braided hair and she looked to Rain for confirmation if friend or foe. Through their link, she sent the message, //"Possible friend. Still deciding."//
Then came Flynn and Amen-set, followed by Variel and Adular. They were all together now.
"Smoking them out will also put Dhaavan at greater risk for he's bound in Zarskia's laboratory, upon Jiro's last word," she relayed to the others who had not been present when Jiro had spied through the wall.
Upon Variel's plan, Rain nodded, and swiftly extended her magical pike to its full 20 ft length. "Neko, you remain outside, hidden close by, and wait for further instruction. If I need you, I will call you to come in. If you see any who try to escape, then see if you can stop them."
Arriving in a huff with Adular in tow Variel quickly hears the situation and makes his decision. Horatio and Adular, your primary concern is Dhaavan but don't get separated from us.
"No worries, Captain-General; we'll get it done," he says with a nod at Variel.
His opinions on the plan are his own; but he agrees completely that rescuing their friend must be the primary concern.
He pulls his pistols out and checks their priming, then pauses; a thought occurs to him.
"For what it's worth, if the enemy hasn't seen us with Dhaavan then maybe we could send in one person - someone savvy with Diplomacy to chat up the person inside. Then we send another person in - someone good at stealth - toss up a Vanish or Invisibility spell on them, and a Message spell..."
"The person at the counter does some distracting, and the person with stealth finds Dhaavan and relays the information with the Message Spell so we know where is and where to go running to. After all, if we go rushing in there, they may realize Dhaavan's important and try to use him as a hostage if we do end up cornering their boss in some room with Dhaavan inside it..." he says as he glances around at the others.
Then his thoughts tack back to the issue at the Halflings headquarters as well as some unfinished business he has to deal with now at the slave quarters.
His voice trails off as he considers things and suddenly he shakes his head and turns to look at Variel.
"You know what, on second thought - let's just do what you said."
"At this point I kind of feel like just doing the direct approach; and besides, I'm in the mood for some bloodletting," he adds with a suddenly charming smile below ice-cold eyes.
"Smoking them out will also put Dhaavan at greater risk for he's bound in Zarskia's laboratory, upon Jiro's last word," she relayed to the others who had not been present when Jiro had spied through the wall.
Amen-set nods at this as she listens to Rain's information and the specific reconnaissance about Dhaavan.
Then she hears Horatio's suggestion as to an alternative plan; specifically trying to find Dhaavan's location before it trails off.
Did he not hear my senet speak of his location? What is the matter with my hatey-a', for normally he is more attentive...
"At this point I kind of feel like just doing the direct approach; and besides, I'm in the mood for some bloodletting," he adds with a suddenly charming smile below ice-cold eyes.
Amen-set turns a glance to Horatio and her eyes narrow as she does her best to read him.
She knew her hatey-a' was very angry at what happened to his new friend's place of business and suspected that his anger was clouding his judgment.
He seemed so upset that he wasn't focusing, or even paying attention - he clearly missed when Rain had mentioned Dhaavan's location; but that was not surprising. Lately he had been acting darker, more moody and distracted - as if some dark presence was weighing on his mind.
She docketed that information for later, and turned to Rain.
"Senet I shall also go with my hatey-a'; for they have my Imi-ib in their foul grasp and that cannot be endured," she says with a nod at Rain.
"By thy wisdom we know that he is in the laboratory of this place, which I deem is a goodly thing for many things in such lab will burn easily," she adds, loud enough for Horatio to hear that information, as he seemed to have missed it when Rain said it earlier.
She watches Horatio to see if he was listening and then turns back to Rain.
"Further, know that when he is safe and with us that the fires of the Great Father shall rise to ignite the upper chambers and all within so that they may extinguish the lives of those who dare to make him their prisoner," she adds with a dark voice as flames crackle suddenly around her fist.
"I do not fear fire; when we have him, then they shall know the meaning of justice," she says with a sudden growl in her young throat.
She turns to Neko and speaks quietly.
"Be thou safe, my fierce friend; and know that we shall return hence with my Imi-ib and my senet; thy Lady. I give thee my word on that," she says to the cat with a sincere voice.
Then Amen-set prepares to follow the others in.
"Wat if Jamba go invisible when dey open da door? I an' I find ya bredda and teleport out? I den message ya ta let Cappy know." He points at Capt. Variel. "Dey may have da magics ta see Jamba, but it be worth tryin'? Eider way...be havin' ya strong bredrens ready when da door be openin'."
If the group agrees to the plan, Jamba will advance to the door. Shakka goes invisible on his shoulder. He has mage armor active for the day and activates his flight hex incase he needs it. He waits until the stronger companions get in position to rush the door once it is opened.
Once everyone is in place and prepared, he knocks on the door with the package up by his face so the guard can see it.
"Every little bit helps I suppose," Adular says a quick prayer, "Besmara, fortify our hearts, guide our arms and let us not fail a friend."
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Looking at Jamba Variel thanks him for the offer. Sounds like a good idea but I want Adular and Horatio there immediately should they need to tend to him. Adular has great magics at his disposal but Horatio has skill as well. I would have them see to him before he is moved if possible.
Variel casts shield as Jamba gets into position and knocks on the door. He then moves to a position where he can charge through the door if needed to push back anyone who answers the door. To aid in the effort he casts effortless armor and bull's strength if there is time.
Variel casts shield as Jamba gets into position and knocks on the door.
Horatio leans forward and whispers quietly to Variel -
"The basterds inside haven't seen any of us; only Dhaavan, so they got no reason to refuse any of us entry if they think we're just some lads looking to do business - and if you tell them the password..."
He leans back; at this point it's up to Variel, but if the guards let them past the doorway then they'll have at least one less obstacle.
From her alcove, Rain cast Lead Blades on her magical pike and readied herself, extended pike in hand.
Quietly she added, "Variel, the passphrase is: Two pounds of powdered thileu bark. However, after allowing Dhaavan in and discovering his deception, I do not believe they will fall for the same trick so soon, again, from someone they do not recognise. Jamba is known to this Zarskia, so best he show up at the door alone."
"Neko, you remain outside, hidden close by, and wait for further instruction. If I need you, I will call you to come in. If you see any who try to escape, then see if you can stop them."
Through their mental link, Neko sends back, //As you wish. I will put an end to their movement if they cross my path. Call and I will attend thee.//
The golden cat cast Mage Armour on herself.
"Be thou safe, my fierce friend; and know that we shall return hence with my Imi-ib and my senet; thy Lady. I give thee my word on that," she says to the cat with a sincere voice.
Upon hearing Amen-set's words, the feline sent a telepathic reply to the girl who called her mistress "sister", //Let us be victorious this day.//
Neko then found a place to hide, but close enough to attack if necessary or come to Rain's aid if commanded.
"Adular has great magics at his disposal but Horatio has skill as well. I would have them see to him before he is moved if possible."
Jamba nods to the Captain. "Ya da boss, Cappy."
He moves up to the door and lets the other get in position. He performs his usual knock to announce his presence.
Seijiro goes invisible (drinking a potion) and waits out of sight just in case, ready to walk through the walls if necessary to gain entrance.