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The Vudran looks at his hands with some consternation, then smiles and executes a quick series of dance moves. "Ansha, how long is this going to last?"
The Pathfinders retreive the items they had come for, and eventually discovers that the scepter-key opens the door. Exiting the room, the servant waiting on the other side tells them they can keep the map and wand, but asks them to give back any keys they may have. He further tells them that Amenopheus has left for the day.
The Pathfinders decide to head to Ascendant Court, to the Temple of the Shining tar. Arriving soon, the group is immediately directed to Ollysta Zadrian. This paladin of Sarenrae is young in her years, but holds herself with the poise of a queen and warrior simultaneously.
As she notices the arrival of the Pathfinders, she strides forward, addressing the group in a strong voice. "Thank the light of Sarenrae you have arrived! I knew Ambrus would come through for us in the Silver Crusade. I desperately need you to bring medicine to an orphanage and let me know if the headmistress, Gilga Baltwin, is deserving of our charity. Since our quest began, the needy have clamored for our aid, and I suspect some are abusing our generosity. It may sound cruel, but there are plenty of dishonest people out in the world eager for easy gold."
She smiles at each of the Pathfinders, and says "Do you know of the Silver Crusade? After discovering so many factions splintered the Society, a number of us banded together to proliferate the cause of charity and kindness using the Society’s resources. As it is said, ‘The Dawn brings new light’ and I’ve made it my life’s work to use our recent darkness to bring a new light to the world and to the Pathfinder Society. I apologize for straying off point. Will you bring this parcel of medicine to Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery in the Eastgate district?”
The Pathfinders decide to assist with the shipment to the orphanage, and to determine whether this Baltwin is deserving of the charity. On their way, they try to gather some additional information.
Before the Pathfinders head to Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery, they ask around about the orphanage and the headmistress’s quality of character.
served Auntie Baltwin for over 30 years, and while a good
customer, she is quite demanding and often rude to the
other customers. He says she’s kept his supplier of fine
whiskeys in business for decades.
Anthos are frankly tired of the noises the children make
and the retinue of cats—though they do appreciate the
latter’s mousing skills. They admit to being happy when
Auntie Baltwin sends the children “off into the town”
during the day, as it gives them a few hours of peace and
quiet before they return in the evening.
Bonto, a retired builder, says nothing but nice things of
Lady Baltwin, as he calls her. He recounts tales of tea
and games on the sitting porch, though if pressed, he
lets slip that she often cheats at games and sometimes
had some shady characters coming to whisper in her ear
and palm her small bags of what might have been money
before slinking away. “Otherwise a fine lady, indeed.” he quickly adds.
After asking around, they locate the orphanage. Nearly swarming with cats and children, this fine upper-class home appears to be clean and in good condition considering the number and ages of its inhabitants. Three young boys shoot marbles in the dirt near the side porch, and inside strewn toys and more cats lie about on the floors. A few children take care of chores, while coughs and sneezes softly erupt from the children’s dormitories upstairs.
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The elf halts in front of the orphanage and smiles faintly. "This will be thrilling, I'm sure," Ansha remarks to no one in particular. She approaches one of the boys near the side porch.
Smile broadening, she asks one of them, "Would one of you be so kind as to point us toward Auntie Baltwin, please?"
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"My compatriots! I have news of our sultry Lady Baltwin that will curdle your breakfast and soil your under garments!"
Chortles takes a moment for the intensity to sink in.
"The disreputable lady has been taking bribes from shady characters! She cheats and is a miserable person! We must uncover the proof of her evil doings and end her reign of pain and torture on these poor youths!"
He ends with raised fist clenching his unsheathed sword. His flushed cheeks heave with anger. His wild grin shines his anticipation for the hunt.
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"Well now I don't think there is a need to be whipping out your sword ever time you hear about a disreputable lady" Stonetree says with a grin widening across his face "Thas how a man ends up with an empty coin purse, My friend" Stoentree boomed loudly while patting Chortles on the back. "Plus we are in polite company" He said glancing at Ansha before walking away clearly amused with himself
One of the boys playing with marbles in front of the house looks up with a toothless grin.
"Over there," he points toward the front door.
The Pathfinders knock on the front door of the large home. They can hear children inside, but no one answers the door for quite some time. Upon knocking again, they hear some grumbling and slow steps, and finally an old woman opens the door...but only by an inch or two.
"What do you want? Can't you see I'm busy taking care of sick orphans?"
The eyeball watching the Pathfinders through the cracked doorway blinks as Ansha mentions the supplies from the Silver Crusade, and finally the door opens completely. The woman at the door is a keen hag of an old woman, with gray hair swept back in a wispy bun, skin mottled with age spots, and yellowed teeth (those that remain, anyway).
"Oh, the supplies!" she says cheerily. "The children will be so happy to have the proper medicine! It has been too long they have gone without!"
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Ansha's smile remains amiable as she notes the condition the woman is in. The elven enchantress takes a step into the orphanage, brushing her hand against the woman in a seemingly-innocuous gesture.
"What symptoms are the children showing? Have you seen any signs that it's contagious?" she asks, her tone conversational.
Auntie Baltwin's eyes narrow as Ansha touches her. "Unhand me, you pointy-eared floozy! Do I look like I want to be touched?"
After a moment she looks askance at the supply box, then says "Oh, never mind that. I suppose I could answer a question or two before you hand over the supplies. Where are my manners? How about some tea?"
The old woman begins retrieving cups and asks "Would everyone care for some?"
As she retrieves tea, she responds to Ansha's questions. "Oh, the children are coming along fine, especially when we have the medicine we need. When we don't, they struggle so much. You should see how many tears they cry when we don't have the medicine we need. They will be so happy to see these supplies. They all have different ailments...but I know how to treat them all. Some of them are contagious, but then I put them in different rooms until they are better."
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Ansha smiles, carefully hiding her reaction to the woman's slight. "I am afraid I will have to pass. I have a rather delicate constitution, and tea--among other things--just seems to play havoc with my insides. Strictly bread and water," she says.
"What ailments are you dealing with here? I trust it hasn't affected all of the children. The ones outside, for example, seem to be healthy enough." The elf pauses for a moment. then asks, "How long has the orphanage been having these problems?"
Auntie Baltwin passes tea out to those who will partake, then responds to Ansha.
"Like I said, I am treating many kinds of ailments. Just this morning, we have had crying, screaming, projectile vomiting, amnesia, spine loss, embarrassing accidents, uncontrollable gas, and explosive diarrhea...but that's neither here nor there. With the right medicine, I can treat anything. Some, like the ones outside, are healing up just fine...there are always sick kids here."
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Theo nodded at Ansha.
"Yes, I would love to help. I have been practicing the healing arts for years. I even served as a combat medic and have experience with a variety of ailments. Are the sickest ones this way?"
Theo pointed upstairs.
Theo studied the woman's face. "You don't look too well yourself. Are you feeling alright? Perhaps you have caught some of what you're treating?"
He gently placed one hand under her elbow and the other on her shoulder. "Here, sit down. Let me see what I can do."
Auntie Baltwin frowns. "I also have skill in healing...the kids are doing just fine now. I'm doing just fine treating them, and with the medicine we'll keep them from getting any worse."
She turns to Theo. "As for me, I've just had a bad night of sleep is all. Don't worry about me."
"You have been so kind to help us today. Here, finish your tea..."
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"Yes, but will they get any better?" Ansha asks pointedly. "This outbreak of diseases has been going on for a while now, and even someone with only a little knowledge of the healing arts--like myself--can recognize that it's better to find a cure than to simply manage symptoms. Surely having a second opinion wouldn't hurt."
"No, no...that's all right," the old woman says. "I don't want to interrupt their rest. Really they are all mending just fine...these supplies will come in handy to cure them up and to help with anything that happens in the future."
She sniffs and says "Have you all finished your tea?"
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This woman's stubborn recalcitrance is really getting on my nerves. She resisted my touch, but perhaps a different charm will work better.
Ansha smiles. "Then allow me to pronounce a traditional elven blessing upon the supplies and this endeavor, and we will be on our way."
Without waiting for her reply, the enchantress begins a low chant in Elven, weaving her hands in a few fluid gestures.
Auntie Baltwin begins to get very angry as she sees Ansha casting another spell, but abruptly stops in her tracks.
"That's...an interesting blessing from a pointy-eared...well...I guess you are quite lovely for an elf!"
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The enchantress smiles. "Why, thank you," she practically purrs. She pauses a moment, pondering with a finger to her chin, then continues, "You know, Auntie, it's fairly obvious you're hiding something. I mean, refusing to even consider a second opinion about the sick children?"
Ansha pouts. "I'm actually rather hurt that you haven't told me what's going on. Why don't you tell me? Maybe I can help you out--after all, what are friends for? Is it creditors? Gambling debt? What?"