"As if the armor itself wasn't uncomfortable enough, with all of this heat and smoke soon i'll be soaked in sweat"
Esfana tries to open her robes under the armor,in the attempt to send a bit of fresh air toward her chest.
Alcheringa looks the place over, with a mildly fascinated expression.
"Well, here we are..."
He looks around, waiting for others to take the lead...
You're right, but in a few moments you it will be a little bit more comfortable under the gambeson. The sweat will evaporate and build a microclimate under your armor. But we both will need definitly a bath this evening or everyone will scent us 100ft against the wind.
Torald looks out for something like a office.
You can't make out an office but one of the members of the Ardoc Brotherhood, obviously noticing your confusion, pats you on the shoulder
Abadar speed you, customer. What can the Ardoc Brotherhood do for you? Problems with a golem? Looking for a fine weapon or piece of armor?
Looking absent mindedly around, your blood suddenly seems to freeze in your veins. Standing about 50m away in a crowd of people you are sure to have seen one of the assassins who were sent after you. Now, after that moment has passed, you can't see him anymore, he must have hid amongst the people.
Esfana looks as if she has just seen a ghost or something worse...she stares at a crowd about 50m away.
Alcheringa is wandering about in awe and amazement, and completely oblivious to other goings on... he is looking for any familiar faces from the other nights 'disturbance' whilst admiring the craftsmanship.
Nox notices Esfana's unusual shock and asks her, would you mind if Elsbeth and i took you on a ladies day out? a womens social gathering i read has calmed down the nerves of many. i'm sure you need a break from Alexite and his failed womanizing attempts, and i would also like to have a better understanding of you and Elsbeth.
Esfana, you're right? You look like you have seen a ghost. Is there anything I can help you?
To the Ardoc Member:
Greetings good Sir. There is indeed something you can help us. We are looking for an acquaintance of us. Perdar Ardoc is his name.
"I'm only suffocating, but i don't think it is actually happening something,why? Is there something you see that i don't?"
Strange, you catch yourself at being absent minded...though there was something strange, or someone...in a crowd about 50m away. He reminded you of one of the assassins that were after you.
The smith eyes you closely, then decides to be cooperative
Aye, Perdar is over there at the repair yard.
He inaccuratley points in the direction of the yard and wanders off.
Esfana looks scared, a lot.
Then let's go to meet Mr. Ardoc.
Alexite notices Esfana partially disrobing. 'Finally, you come around to my charms. Had I known you were weak in the knees for golems, we could have come here days ago.'
Noticing that Esfana has become pale, Alexite tells her, 'Don't worry, my dear. I know the thought of a man of my girth may seem overwhelmning, but I won't hurt you with it... unless you beg.'
The repair yard is an open area next to the factory. Several members of the Ardoc Brotherhood are working here on a variety of all kinds of golems. It seems like they're in a good mood since they all sing a song during work. Between them small homunculus-shaped golems run around carrying tools and repair material.
As you step into the yard, you recognize Perdar and he recognizes you. He wipes his forehead clean of sweat and walks over to you.
Heartily laughing he eyeballs you
Still alive, huh? Not bad, newcomers often don't even last 24 hours in Kaer Maga, heh. I guess you're still looking for work?
Nox looks to Alexite; Alexite, could you at least give Esfana's mind some time to heal, she had a very traumatic experience and such games would only hinder her recovery. in an attempt to keep you off of Esfana, i will tell you that i am weak in the knees for an amazing mathematician or well stocked librarian.
Nox was greatly impressed by the wonderful works of precise Geometry and had a hard time resisting the Urge to dismantle one of the golems in attempt to satiate her curiosity.
As she makes it to master Ardoc, she begins to seem really cheery, Master Ardoc, those are some gorgeous works of Geometry, will you give me permission to dismantle one of them as a means to satiate my curiosity and as a means to satiate my stimulation as well? or would you rather have a private Interview with this Alkenstarian Scientist before you? a man like you is far more interesting than that colorful peacock over there. referring to "Alexite" as the peacock and herself as the Alkenstarian Scientist.
Nox was kind of shaky, but it was a shakyness caused by sexual stimulation rather than one caused by fear.
Alcheringa is still wandering around with a fascinated enthusiasm, staying out of the way and not touching anything.
Alexite steps forward to meet Perdar. 'Well met, Meister Ardoc. Yes, we yet live.' He looks around at the expansive enterprise. 'You were not just bragging when you described your operation.'
Esfana kept as close as possible to Torald's side,then turned to Alexite.
"Alexite, darling, remember i said i would have come in your bed if you helped me getting some clues of what happened in my life? That maybe my boyfriend betrayed me, or someone for him sent assassins aftre me? Well you still got your opportunity, because i just spotted one of them hiding in that crowd over there.I don't know how they found me,but if they see me traveling with you,my traumatic experience could soon become yours as well"
Laughing at whatever Ardoc said as if it were funny, Alexite says, 'Describe him to me, Esfana.', without ever looking away from Ardoc.
Ardoc shoots Nox a curious glance
Umm, I doubt I understood you right, but when you are interested in golem crafting I can sell you a book or two.
Now to my problem:
He leads you over to a part of the repair yard where you are alone.
I'd like to climb the guild's ladder...and I need to solve a problem the guildmaster has assigned to me. That's where you are of interest.
There is an entity, a golem made by the first Ardoc guildmaster. Legend says it was made of pure admantine and was as cunning as its maker.
I found out that it has made its lair in the sewers below Ankar Te. Since it was designed to entertain...and be a terrible weapon simultaneously, its character is rather two-faced. When one is able to solve three of its riddles it does not harm you and follows you for one day - enough for me to shut it down. If you're not able to solve its riddles it's a most formidable foe...So, what do you think?
You notice that the Ardoc's linguistic abilities must have enhanced over night, since articulation and tone are much more sophisticated than during your last meeting.
"This sounds like a very dangerous task;i don't suppose you have some hints about those riddles?
Esfana talks and acts perfectly, pretending she didn't just saw one of the assassins after her
No hints, no clues, no nothing... he cautiously looks around
and no one - and I mean NO ONE shall know about this. If any other member of the Ardoc Brotherhood would knew about the riddle golem they would pretty much do anything to get to it first.
Alexite keeps a smile on his face and acts as if the group is telling an engrossing story. He will covertly look to see if the man Esfana described can be seen.
No, you don't see anyone fitting Esfana's description. But hey, who knows, maybe she just begins to halucinate?!
Nox, Still looking at meister Ardoc. You caught me. i am also very interested in the mathematical beauty that happens to be your guild's golems. i guess that all these gorgeous displays of Geometry got the better of me. i am both a Bibliophile and a Numeriophile. and being around such gorgeous works of mathematics seemed to put me in a seductive mood. i would also like to apologize for the mood the golems have put me in.
Alcheringa is spending some time seeing how they are imbuing alloys with magic, and learning what he can about the manufacture of golems...
Perdar, still not sure what to make out of Nox' behaviour admits
You're a bunch of tough negotiators, eh? Silence is one of the vilest weapons during a business meeting, heh! So, what do you think about the whole matter?
@ Alcheringa:
While you're strolling around, you notice that the golemsmiths pay much attention to not being observed. Whenever you come near, they stop working and wait for you to pass.
Alexite becomes somber. 'How much are you offering?'
Oh I like straightforward people, heh. I offer 2000 GP for the golem.
"We won't defeat that thing by throwing money at it, Alexite.I'm much more interested in means to survive the encounter"
Smirking his very best smirk, Alexite replies, 'The golem's weakness is a sharp wit and cunning tongue. Who do you know that is better armed for such a battle than me?' If it were possible, his smirk grows. 'Besides, the only problems I throw money at is whores.'
I think it is a challenge. We have here some quick-witted people in our group. It should be feasible.
Perdar seems relieved and full of aspiration
Yes, that's what I wanted to hear! I assume you have some experience with spelunking, so I don't have to tell you about the dangers that might await you: carrion crawlers, undead, goblinoids and worse...actually everything that tries to avoid the streets...During my research I found out that the lair of the golem is directly below the Temple of the Child Godess...so sneak in and find a way into the sewers from there. Piece of cake, heh!
"Not that i saw anything easily achievable here.Off we go then,wish us good luck"
"Don't forget we could have to deal with other problems on the way"
"Don't forget we could have to deal with other problems on the way"
'I will keep a handful of gold coins ready for just such a problem.'
During your way back to Worsh's "Revive for a better Life" you carefully observe your surroundings, always fearing to be ambushed by Esfana's "friends". But since Kaer Maga is the maybe worst place on whole Golarion trying not to get ambushed, you are more than nervous as you reach the necromancer's shop. The assassins were nowhere to be seen and you just hope they also lost contact.
Upon entering the shop, you nearly turn into a pillars of salt:
Worsh lies on the ground, facedown (which is "funny" since he lies on the back), besides his body stands a tiefling and two ogres...or more exactly ogre zombies - both aberrations have grey skin and and lots of badly treated old injuries. They stare dully over to you.
The tiefling has Bobo at the scruff of his neck and shoots you a "leave now or get in severe problems" gaze.
"Somehow i don't like this, maybe whe should leave"
Alexite exclaims, 'See here! That wretch on the floor owes me money. You will hand over what is mine this instant!'
Alcheringa looks at the Tiefling and her guards with a measured stare, he doesn't seem much perturbed about them, and follows in behind Alexite.
On hearing Alexite make his demand, Alcheringa clears his throat...
"Ahem, and a particular book of notes we have come to retrieve. i could care less about him being dead, you have only done what I wished to do, but the property is ours to claim"
Bobo face twists hectically
Seems like he wants to tell you something like "DANGER!!!!"
The tiefling woman lets Bobo go (who fastly scurries into the next corner), looks at her nails, then at her bodygaurds, smiles seductively and says
His death was a terrible accident no one wanted. I can assure you, we are as sad as you are...So, you are some of his illustrous customers, business partners or financiers?
Esfana looks Torald ,Alexite and Alcheringa and whispers "It's a trap, out of here "
"I know"
We are emissaries of the Iomedae temple. This little lady, here, is a researcher, which had negotiatet witch Mr. Worsh to inspect his documents. We arn't here to mess with your business.
Esfana looks Torald ,Alexite and Alcheringa and whispers "It's a trap, out of here "
Alcheringa looks about like he was expecting something, then looks at the door and wanders outside... Blaze follows at his heels.
The tiefling woman looks amused as you say the words "Iomedae temple", and answers
So, you must be new to the City of Strangers, mhh?
Suddenly her voice gets an impressive sub-zero tone
I neither care about the clergy of your temple, nor about this strange magician that accompanies you. Oh, and your threats, better swallow them now, before you don't have a throat left to do so.
I'm here in the name of Horus Ilaktya and to end this charade: Worsh had crossed a line... a line of which he knew that beyond it only death awaited him. I'm just here to enforce the judgment.
Alexite gives the tiefling a level look. 'I don't care about him. You were sent to kill him and he's dead. I care about what he owed me. The slip is property and I aim to collect everything on the debt. You may leave.'
Alcheringa skirts to the back door and readies for an assualt, casting resistance on himself, and Blaze if he has time.
Esfana stays just out of the main entrance of the shop looking all around, trying to follow the dialogue with the tiefling and to see behind her
The tiefling's expression beomes a little bit bemused
You want what? This stinking bag of skin? she points to the floor where Bobo has just laid
Bah, the little rat has already scurried away. You can have him and you can also have the notes of his "master". Worsh has never been a cunning user of the necromantic arts, so of what value can his research be?
She commands her ogres with a snap of her fingers and leaves the shop with an air of nobility.
Alexite walks through the lower floor of the workshop. 'Come out here, Barry! The ugly demonspawn is gone.'
Upon the miniature troll crawling out of the cabinets, Alexite tells him, 'You are in luck this morning. I have saved your wretched little hide again. As Worsh is now dead and yet still in debt, you may come with me. You should delight that your circumstances are so much improved.'
Nox, had remained silent as to not offend the tiefling lady and her ogres. now that she and her enforcers are gone, Nox will search the entire building for worsh's notes, and notes is a rather broad term, for it includes research documents, ledgers, spellbooks, any scrolls of use, personal information (like diaries) and anything else valuable to her report. including "Barry".