"Kazam! That's what I like to hear! I promise to take good care of Blaze and feed her whenever she's hungry. I'll have to stock up on fish and milk. What else dos she like to eat?"
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"Adventurers"
"Crazzleboks! Are you pulling my leg?!"
"She must know that we are her friends. I mean after all we've been through. Maybe she would like some bad guys to eat. I suspect some of those cult fanatics would be very tasty. Wee Bluets, however, taste bad! Blaze, good kitty, you know that we taste bad don't you?!"
For the first time since you know him, Bobo suddenly turns red, grabs Kyren by his collar and pulls him close
Kyren!!! Will you listen now?! What about A-B-A-C-U-S!!!!! I think he is still in that dungeon!
Goldie grins and takes Vaughn aside - obviously the halflings have to sort things out before any decisions are made...
Boy, ye know how I adore yer mother...an' even though Oi loike yer pop, Oi knew he would get himself into trouble rather sooner than later...ye should really have a serious talk with him when they make it to Kaer Maga safely.
The half-orc has meanwhile walked over to Kenta and Tal and comments
Hey, yeah, I could surely be ya bounca! Me name's Rotgut, I'm good in beating people!
"Wait, wait, wait! What are you saying, Bobo? Are you talking about Abacus, the black, tattoo covered, large, kind mathematical genius who taught me oodles of tactics and helped me win the Kaer Maga International Tzarek Championship?! Crazzlebok! Where did you say he is? What dungeon are you talking about? Do you mean the one back at the cult of the child goddess? Why didn't you mention this sooner? I mean, like maybe when we were down there?!"
Boy, ye know how I adore yer mother...an' even though Oi loike yer pop, Oi knew he would get himself into trouble rather sooner than later...ye should really have a serious talk with him when they make it to Kaer Maga safely.
Yeah, I intend to. It's time he learned the lesson that I left home to learn. I'll take care of him.
Kyren!!! Will you listen now?! What about A-B-A-C-U-S!!!!! I think he is still in that dungeon!
Whaaa?? Why would they have HIM in their dungeon?!
The half-orc has meanwhile walked over to Kenta and Tal and comments
Hey, yeah, I could surely be ya bounca! Me name's Rotgut, I'm good in beating people!
Looking at Rotgut, Kenta shrugs "Show me... punch Buta in the head" gesturing to his smiling and panting porcine friend.
Kyren!!! Will you listen now?! What about A-B-A-C-U-S!!!!! I think he is still in that dungeon!Whaaa?? Why would they have HIM in their dungeon?!
"Rotgut, did you happen to notice any other prisoners of the black, tattoo covered, large, kind mathematical persuasion while you were imprisoned by the Child worhippers?"
Bobo grimaces and shrugs
Uh...the mushrooms and all that and you were all so excited..an...yeah... a bit embarassed Bobo quicly answers Vaughn's question to change the topic They found his pyramid models back at the Revive...I guess that quite impressed them.
Rotgut looks at Bunta, then at kenta and shakes his head
I don't punch animal friend of man who saved me!
Then he thinks for a moment and answers Tal's question
Yeah...strange guy, didn't say a word, but looked clever with all those numbers on him, heh.
"Crazzleboks! So he's there as well."
Kyren begins to pace excitedly. "Now they are making it personal. First Bobo and now Abacus! We are going to have to go back in and rescue him. We may as well rescue all of the innocents while we are at it, but first we need a plan. I am not sure that a frontal assault will work with that golem. We should try and contact the Ardocs again and see if they can give us some assistance again. Once the construct is deactivated, maybe we could take out the guards and priests one at a time. What else do we need to think about?"
Rotgut looks at Bunta, then at kenta and shakes his head
I don't punch animal friend of man who saved me!
Kenta cocks his head "Why not... Buta like it... good fun. Buta... Panchibagīōku" and the boar snorts excitedly before lowering his head and pawing at the ground while looking to charge Rotgut.
OK, let's focus here. Al, you're OK guiding Albright to that orphanage? I trust you, but having just one of us on a trip like that makes me a little nervous. You tell me you're sure you two will be OK, and I won't ask again.
.
While Al's gone, let's do whatever recon we can. We'll start asking around, as carefully as we can manage, about what the authorities think of the cult, whether they've been in any trouble, and then we can get more specific about how we give THEM some trouble. At the same time we can start setting up the Revive again. I wonder if Rotgut here would be a good start . . . whoa, let's see!
Despite the seriousness of the moment, Vaughn is distracted by the potential spectacle of boar vs. orc in a friendly "panchibagi" game.
I dunno Rotgut, my money is going on the pig!
"We will be safe, nothing will bother us... there and back again happily and easily"
"I shall return to the Ossuary and discover what my brethren may know of this cult."
"Crazzleboks! The numbers are dropping fast around here. I suppose this means the attack is off. I suppose Daggers is right. Recon may be the best use of our time. Hey, I know. Maybe I should find a disguise kit and try to explore the inside of the temple with a different identity. I could be Monsignor Tolloroski, a traveling priest of the Child Goddess. Maybe I could fool them and get myself some preferential treatment."
"Hehe!" Kyren tries out his new identity with a foreign accent.
"Gut day. I yam Monsignor Tolloroski. I yam za high priest of za child goddess. I vas vonderiing if I could see yer supply ov pretty girls that ye keep hidden in za pyramids for vorship!"
"Don't attack what you can't beat. We have no way of dealing with a group that has at least one Iron Golem, and who knows what else... a weakness must be found instead. All creatures are vulnerable when they stop to drink at a waterhole, where does the Cult drink?"
The girl grins as Kyren tries his new accent, but Albright's mood darkens instantly as her thoughs wander back to the cult and its doings
They need a stead supply of children...sometimes they buy them from poor parents, sometimes they steal them but most of the time, they make deals with one of the many asylums here in Ankar Te and other districts.
Rotgut takes another look at Buta, shrugs helplessly and tries to punch the swine in the face
The punch is weak and rather hits Buta's shoulder...Goldie sighs and says
Better look for another bouncer...
Kenta chuckles as Buta snorts, stamps the ground... then Panchibagīōku's. With a sharp forward motion the boar headbutts Rotgut...
Bullrush:
Tal'Zeneb smiles at the Wayang's and boar's antics. "I will be off to Ossuary then. Anyone care to accompany me?"
"They need a stead supply of children...sometimes they buy them from poor parents, sometimes they steal them but most of the time, they make deals with one of the many asylums here in Ankar Te and other districts."
"Crazzleboks! These villains are worse than I thought! Well, my friends, we have talked about the need for the Wee Bluets to do something more practical than find an old dusty document for the Andorans. Well, here is our chance! Everything we do to this cult will not only help improve the selection of religious establishments the people can choose from, but also help an entire population of young girls who are being kidnapped and taken against their will from their families!"
Turning to Albright, Kyren asks, "Albright, my dear, please tell us where you think we can help the most? Is there any weakness the cult has that we can exploit or some backdoor that we can sneak in and eliminate the cult leaders. I just wish they did not have some giant iron golem protecting them. Crazzleboks! What a drag!"
Buta's charge is quite powerful, but Rotgut had expected some kind of piggish retaliation and is able to hold his ground.
Albright has a hard time to her her attentaion back to Kyren...orc vs. boar is quite entertaining...
I don't know if they have any crucial weakness...but there was one of the priests who was friendly to us girls...maybe he could help us? He never seemed happy with what the cult was doing.
did yo uhappen to catch his name? Could you describe him to us?
Kyren looks at Buta and Rotgut's antics and cannot help himself but smile. "Well I'm glad some people are having some fun around here!"
Albright has a hard time to her her attentaion back to Kyren...orc vs. boar is quite entertaining...
Kyren waves to Albright and begins jumping up and down in front of her. "You who!!! Over hear! Don't forget that your halfling friend, Kyren, is still here talking to you! As I was saying, do you know of any weaknesses?"
"I don't know if they have any crucial weakness...but there was one of the priests who was friendly to us girls...maybe he could help us? He never seemed happy with what the cult was doing."
"Yes, yes, this contact sounds like he has great potential! We could use an ally on this inside. His name wasn't Salfon by any chance was it?"
Alchy looks on, ready to depart when the questions are done.
Kenta giggles "Heh, Buta not knock you back... you do ok!"
Rotgut gives Buta a pat on the back and grunts in satisfaction - for a second orc and boar look like twins
You have good pig! Stronga than most orcs.
Albright doesn't need time to remember the man's name
Yes surely, his name is Laion and he does not live in the pyramid, he always arrived at the pyramid in the morning and left it late in the evening - I guess he must be living somewhere close by.
"Yes surely, his name is Laion and he does not live in the pyramid, he always arrived at the pyramid in the morning and left it late in the evening - I guess he must be living somewhere close by."
"Kazam! That is good news. This could be our back door in, ladies and gents! I'll make a few discrete inquiries and we can get to work."
Turning to Albright, Kyren gives the young girl a fatherly embrace.
"I want to wish you all the very best, Albright. Feel free to look me up years from now and know that you will always have a friend with Kyren Tosscobble. Alchy will be taking you soon and he is a good cat! He will get you where you need to go. Be well always!"
Turning to Alcheringa, he adds, "Alchy, take good care of this lass. We will see you when you return. In the meantime, I promise to try not to do anything foolish!"
Kyren then proceeds to make a few inquiries and see if he can find the address of Laion.
"Then we shall begin our journey, such splendours to see. You will have views and memories that many would never get to experience, such untold pleasures of natures beauty that will shape your thoughts for a lifetime" Alcheringa smiles kindly. "Lets go upstairs and fetch you a warm jacket"
With that he leads Albright on, with the wonderment of a child glowing in his own eyes too.
Vaughn is quiet as goodbyes are said. take care of yourself, OK kid? He gives her an uncle- or brotherly hair ruffle. The he bends over to whisper something to her...
he then straightens and gives her a quick wink. Good luck, kid. Then he turns to Al and clasps forearms. Not a phlucking scratch on her, brother!!
Tal'Zeneb lays a hand on Albright's shoulder "Give Serno my love, he will take excellent care of you. Be safe, Alcheringa" then nodding to the others leaves the tavern and makes his was to the Ossuary.
Kenta gives no guiding words to the little one as she leaves and if anything is somewhat consternated by the deep engagement that the others have made with the lass after such a short time. Half to Buta, half to Rotgut and the other half just to the air before his mouth "Kenta not understand... kill men who kill kids fine, Kenta understand... save kid from evil cult, hai - Kenta also understand... but caring so much now when kid already safe... this Kenta not get." before shrugging and making a dismissive sounding grunt.
"The problem, Kenta, is that these evil cults have a way of taking their revenge on people that know their secrets. I mean Albright could easily testify to the Duskwardens and if there is any law in this land, they may be able to shut down this temple. If they could get their hands on Albright, which they may likely do, then they would simply kill her immediately. We are just trying to insure that she gets a good life from here on out. I trust Alchy. He will be back in a jiffy, and then we will assault the temple. In the meantime, we are just going to do our homework and figure out what needs to be done and how we are going to accomplish it."
Albright embraces everyone of you and squeezes Vaughns hand, then she nods to Al and says
I...I know that I have always wanted this moment to come...but still...now I'm just afraid that reality cannot compete with my dreams...
Rotgut grunts too and nudges Kenta to get his attention
Me have six boys too...they're with their mother in the mountains...all strong, good orcs.
--------
You leave the tavern for the nearby Ossuary but you don't get very far. About two hundres metres away from the pit, suddenly a gang of zombies surrounds you. With lifeless milky eyes they stare at you and form a solid circle around you.
"Kenta not understand... kill men who kill kids fine, Kenta understand... save kid from evil cult, hai - Kenta also understand... but caring so much now when kid already safe... this Kenta not get."
Vaughn hears the exchange, and after Albright leaves, goes more pensive than usual. After a few moments, he speaks up.
Kyren is right--but for me, there's more than that. See, I grew up in the streets, scraping to get by. I had my parents, but I saw plenty of street urchins who didn't. They always ended up being the lowest scum out there--and it usually wasn't their fault. It was the circumstances, you know? So when I see a kid snatched from her family, it just riles me.
.
You know what else? Albright was the first kid we saw in there, the first evidence we had of what these freaks were doing. So, in my mind at least, she sort of became a symbol of all the kids who are in there now who were kidnapped. Between that, and wanting--no, NEEDING--to make sure none of those jamokes laid a finger on her again, I guess it was only natural I'd get a little more attached. But don't worry, I won't let that get in the way of what we have to do. I'm ready.
Kyren is lucky and he finds a dwarvish pit fighter at the bar who knows Laion because he lives in the flat right above him.
Yep, see 'im ev'ryday. Frienldy goy. Ye fin' 'im in Slitherstreet, opposite the embalmment shop.
-----------
Goldie looks at Vaughn with open surprise, then he nods and gives him a pat on the back
Well said, boy.
Addressing the zombies, and therefore any "controlling" influence "Your purpose....or be destroyed forthwith."
Kyren smiles at the news from the pit fighter. "Thank you very much, my good friend. You've been a terrific help. Good luck in all your fights down in the pit!"
The Tosscobble returns to his friends and informs them of his new found information.
"Kazam, Kazam! I found out where our friendly neighborhood priest lives. He's just across from the embalming shop over on Slitherstreet. Any of you want to join me for a wee visit, or do you want sit here all night and watch the pit fighting? The choice is up to you, but I want to get going pretty soon. He's probably home right now. I even heard that he's a friendly guy. I betcha he may even offer us a snack!"
Kenta shrugs despite the explanation, and is distracted by Rotgut's elbow "And, why you mention your kids? What you expect from Kenta?"
Kyren, that sounds good. I think if we talk to him now, while the wound we dealt the cult is still fresh, we might get further than if we wait too long.
.
Kenta, you coming, or would you rather hang out here?
"Kenta prefer to stay if you just going for talky talk... maybe see if Buta want pit fight or not. Unless you want Kenta come?"
Just watch yourself in these fights. They're pretty much a free-for-all and death is not unheard of!
Vaughn looks over at Kyren. shall we?
"Let's!" Kyren replies enthusiastically. Together, Kyren and Vaughn (and any others who wish to accompany them) walk down the streets of Kaer Maga to Slitherstreet where they proceed to the house of Laion. Kyren is optimistic, but he does look over his shoulder periodically to be sure they are not being followed.
The zombies just keep on staring until they are suddenly pushed aside by a much larger dead apparition - a hulking zombie ogre, who holds a human torso in front of him in whose flesh a message has been carved. The stench of rot emanated by the horde of undead is nearly breathtaking and you have to cough heavily.
The house in Slitherstreet is a dilapidated corner building with cracks running criss-cross all over the walls. A band of orcs and goblins is hanging around in front of it and watch you closely as you come nearer. The gang leader, a fat bugbear, addresses you unfriendly
Watcha wan'?
Shall we RP your travels or just assume they happen as you planned them?
Intruigued despite himself, Tal'Zeneb refrains from unleashing his holy might upon these abominations.
"Deliver your message then. Be quick about it!" he says , nose wrinkling from the miasma of odors assailing him.
I'm looking for someone--someone not as ugly as you. What's it to you, Slim?
Kyren let's his bodyguard do the talking, quite impressed with the initiative he is taking.
"I'm not sure I would have called him ugly, but what's the harm in being truthful!
The bugbear slowly hides behind one of his dumber orc followers and grimaces
We not want fight, we just makin' fun...uh...so, who you be looking for? We can help, we know people.
The ogre shakes the torso in front of you and then turns it around - at last you can read the writing carved into the flesh.
[b]This is your personal escort to Horus Ilaktya's palace, follow or...you end like the "paper" this is written on.
KK - three days?