Ascaria rummages a little more through what is left of Larur's belongings but it reveals nothing of interest. She pauses for a moment and then addresses their guide. "Andrezi, do you know where this Lymas Sneed has his office? Maybe we should pay him a ... friendly visit..."
Iscarel lurks at the edges of the investigation, tapping his foot and casting a brief glance over the place, more for valuables than evidence, but finding that the place has been picked clean of either.
As Ascaria speaks, Iscarel raises a finger curtly and takes a few sweeping steps towards her. "I will lead you there." he says, motioning toward the door with a bow and a flourish. He takes a few sweeping steps onto the street and smiles at some private joke. "The man does so like uninvited guests."
Andrezi, "Sure do. Scum bucket lives not to far from here, couple lanes over, Rat Street. Bit of a lock box too, like a secure premises making sense for a money lender. Doesn't make friends like any loan shark."
Ethaniel, "I have noticed there are quite a number of eyes upon us even now, watching from curtain and cover. Perhaps we ask some of those residents of what they know. There is one down the lane, a lithe looking street urchin who's interest in our doings here has not wavered even at my noticing of his attention. Perhaps, we should see what he knows also."
Marcus looks down at the lurker to see if added eyes make himscamper or not.
Iscarel, you feeling Chatty?
Turning to see the young street waif Tam remarks,"...a fine observation Ethaniel."
Tam walks toward the youth, pulling his scarf down to reveal his face fully and lowering his hood.
Tam stops a respectful 10 feet away from the boy, "Good Morning young man, we are employees of Larur's friend Saul - Proprietor of the Golden Goblin. Master Saul is quite distressed at his friend's absence have you seen what happened here? There is pay to be had for good information that leads us to Larur's whereabouts...!"
The youth replies to Tam. "All I'as seen ere is you folks kickin in the door o that fine place ther and takin your pickins. I ain't seen nuffin else, nuffin."
Tam casually produces a gold wheel in his hand as if by magic spinning the coin around his fingers and sadly remarks.
"You saw nothing? Awe that's too bad... guess I'll have to find someone else who may have seen something of value. Have a nice day... and stay out of trouble kid."
Tam turns as if to walk away... still playing with the gold coin...
"You know, my friends don't appreciate being lied to." the elf says, with a measured nonchalance. You can see him watching the boy intently, waiting for a tell.
"Of course, you haven't," Tippy says, popping up from behind the boy. "Very sensible in this town, to see nuffin." He presses a couple silver into the boy's hand. "Let me give you a prescription for your eyesight."
Diplomacy:
Youth, "Ah crud. Like said gents, I seen nuffin really."
Now intimidated immediately by the strangers surrounding him.
"Yeah, alright, I's been watchin this place non stop all mornin. Not for me but. This is my post from the boss. They was told about this place last night and cleaned it out and now I'n just watch ta see who else got interest in it. I think that's my queue aye."
Tam glances Iscael's way momentarily trying to determine his angle with some suspicion..
Turning his attention back to the boy, "...and your boss would be who exactly?"
Youth, "Badeye. Are you new around here? Everyone knows who owns this slum."
With that, another figure appears further down the lane about 100ft away and yells out. "Get along rat." The youth gulps and makes to leave.
Tam tosses the kid the gold coin, "...thanks kid and stay safe!"
Then he steps around the boy facing the figure down the street concealing the boy behind him and he scowls at the lone figure remarking, a dangerous edge to his voice, "Mind your own business... dog... or you'll get kicked for your trouble!"
His posture is one ready to fight if needed.
Iscarel's meets Tam's glance with a warm smile, all good intentions and congeniality. He lets out an exasperated tut as the elf speaks.
"Your cue?" the elf says, with an eyebrow raised, placing a hand on the alley-wall and leaning to block the boys path. "Stay a moment. There's a smart lad. Tell us what you know about the owner of this place and this tip-off and you're free to leave." he remains silent as to what would happen if the boy doesn't talk.
Aid Another: Diplomacy
Intimidate
Youth, "Pauper's Hand, St. Casperian's Mission. That alone could get me stuck. Now get outta me way elf. Shame you ain't as po'lite as your friend here."
"Polite?" the elf says, offended. "Tch. Next time I wish to be lectured on manners by a street rat, I'll let you know." he says, giving another over-the-top bow and a flowery motion to the waiting streets. "You've been most accomodating, young master." he says, dismissively. As the boy leaves a smirk laces his lips. "Polite... Does the lad think this is Oparra?" he smiles to himself and shakes his head, but seems to be in a good humour.
He breaks off and turns to the others with a satisfied smile. "Gentlemen, we have our lead!" he says with a triumphant note. "Let me see if I can remember the way..."
Knowledge: Local: on Pauper's Hand and St. Casperian's Mission
The lad, hastens as soon as he is free of the group. The other figure, that Tam had threatened and insulted sunk back into his alleyway.
After the interaction, a dark look comes over Marcus's face. Let's go.
He gives apollo the command 'Guard Me' and lets go of the dogs leash.
He knows you all so won't attack any of you. Probably best to NOT touch him while he's working.
Marcus shoots Iscarel a look to see if the bard if willing to lead off. Of not he'll follow Andrezi, We have dawdled long enough. Let's go, if anyone has hurt Larur, my Scimitar will likely shed blood this day.
He follows his guide.
DM rolling for Iscarel Knowledge: Local
Where is this St. Casperian's Mission?
Iscarel sets off, sure of his destination. Everyone follows at his chosen pace. Apollo, now in guard mode, assesses any movement around his new master, ready to attack should it be required.
Perceptions
- A ,
- E ,
- I ,
- M ,
- Ta ,
- Ti
Then he follows the follower.
Stealth:
Tippy disappears from sight without the tail even noticing and as the unknown male passes by, Tippy falls in behind him.
Iscarel wrinkles his nose and pauses, adjusting his course and making down a nearby alley. "Gods. Splithog Alley, past the gas forges..." he says, wrinkling his nose. Sauntering over toward Ascaria he leans in a little too close and whispers in her ear, stopping to flash Marcus a wide-eyed smile before whispering one more remark and chuckling cruelly, skipping ahead with a spring in his step.
"... and what's this talk of shedding blood, dear fellow?" he says, loud enough for the whole street to hear. "We go to another temple, my friend! Albiet one considerably less pleasing on the eyes..." he says matter-of-factly, and with a waver of hesitation he continues. "... and I for one, could go another week without drawing the ire of the gods. Besides, there's nothing quite like a corpse to ruin a fine mood." he says, smiling as he glimpses a view of the bay.
"By every god and his mother, what could ruin a fine day like this?"
Ascaria had noticed the shadowy figure stalking their little group but so had Tippy and before she can even decide if she should react on that, Tippy disappears into a doorway as the alley makes a slight turn. Confident that the halfling knows what he is doing she continues without so much as a blink. Tippy had pulled such things before, after all.
When Iscarel falls in beside her, the young witch makes a face at his jape. She answers in a low voice, not exactly secretive but neither easy to perceive for the others.
She gives him a friendly push after which the elf begins his loud tirade about shedding blood. Ascaria rolls her eyes. Someday, I'm gonna wish that Apollo really eats this lot for breakfast...
Marcus catches the smile Iscarel flashes him.
"Keep smiling fool, you'll lose your teeth that way"
His tolerance for Iscarel's humor notwithstanding, they were working.
You get to talk all you like Iscarel, if you can charm them into giving up Larur, I'm buying first round of that wine you like so much. If it goes south...well that's why you bring us dogs isn't it.
He gives Apollo a pat.
Tam follows along in silence flanking and guarding Ascaria though only subtly from the background - watching for ques from Marcus.
"Why, I thought we'd brought Apollo along for the quality of his conversation!" he says, with one last light-hearted jeer as he makes to pat the hound and thinks better of it. "Have you been reading that book I gave you? I hear Ethaniel has been tutoring you."
I haven't much care for the more...graphic side of things. The parts about wrongs repaid are what interest me.
"But two sides of the same coin, my friend. We'll make you see yet." he says, sauntering further ahead and whistling a jaunty tune to himself, strumming an invisible lyre as he sways about the streets, smiling as he turns heads.
Tam speaks up...
"Desna enlightens that one should enjoy every moment of life. To drink deep of the wonder of new experiences and not be overburdened by the bad things in life... but to focus upon those things that bring happiness. The open road, the endless variety of new experiences. We do not seek out pain or horror specifically, but she shows and inspires us to place such things in their proper context without being forever scarred. Where there is life... there is hope. We seek new paths to follow to explore, to see the moonlight and the starlight, but mostly to snatch the joy of life with every breath - not be consumed by hurtful or self-destructive obsessions. We take special joy in helping others to find the joy in life and teach them to remove pain from their lives, such as by destroying monsters or those evil beings that prey upon them. I seek justice from the ills done to me by my father, but once it is done... I will move on and seek joy again, hopefully with the goddesses blessing. We are warriors of the night that take away the fears of the day."
The soft voiced elf returns to silence... almost a shock he has said so much at once. Though the past few days he has indeed partied and sung and danced the evenings away - when not working in Marcus' and Ascaria's company... though indeed much of the time laughing with Samarthia.
He is... definitely a mystery of contradictions considering his seemingly pensive and somber usual demeanor...
Sounds nice. Maybe someday,..after I'm done hunting the demon, IF I survive.
He looks at Ascaria as he speaks and dares to hope...
Iscarel ceases his song, smiling slightly as Tam speaks up, glad to speak of a familiar topic with one of the people. He seems almost nostalgic speaking of Desna, his patron goddess of old. He smile wavers as Tam dubs him a "warrior", and the elf's brow furrows and head shakes. Peh. I know fear, but I am no warrior.
"If I may speak for Ethaniel..." Iscarel says, interjecting, "Calistria too is a goddess of joy. She teaches to never deny oneself his joys, for they may be few and far between. If a man wrongs you, repay him. If there is something you want, strive for it. A woman? Woo her. If the road awaits, follow it. Whatever brings you joy." he says, trailing off.
"The road and the stars hold many joys, brother Tam, Calistria offers many others, but the Great Dreamer brings me no dreams anymore. Nothing but restless nights and night-terrors." he says, somewhat more somberly. "So I will find my joys where I can." The elf continues in silence, smile wavering.
"Well, look at that. I've forgotten my tune."
Ethaniel comments offhanded so as not to alert anyone. "The thug from but a minute ago whom warned off our helpful urchin is attempting to tail us sneakily. Tippy, has ducked off to do what Tippy does best. Let us continue on shall we but keep only and ear to our rear."
Marcus keeps his eyes forward.
Trust the halfling. He'll be there if we need him. Keep going.
Marcus gives Ascaria's hand a reassuring squeeze as they move along.
Iscarel answers with but half a nod, lost in thought.
You continue to move along the poorly maintained cobbled lanes, muddy holes mark the worst areas with filthy fluids pooling within. You are definitely in the heart of the Rotgut district. Hungry eyes peering out from the disheveled businesses and collapsing tenements, the residents and beggars all covet your wares and care little to hide their longing. You can't help but feel as though hands were reaching out to grasp you from all sectors. Iscarel says your destination isn't too far off though, but maybe even a minute longer in this place will be too long.
Ascaria
Iscarel
Marcus
Ethaniel
Tippy
Tam