"Well perhaps we will catch him at home this evening. We have been on the road, so I'd say he'd have been wanting a comfortable bed ahead of cahing up his peculiar interests"
Pitr asks around to see if anyone had seen the creepy half-orc. diplomacy
and finds that yes, he does often stay here when he needs a comfy bed.
Pitr smiles at Countess, "Looks like we have a bit of time to kill. Can I buy you a drink?" Eventually Kirk shows up and Pitr waves him over. In hushed tones, Pitr describes the situation and finds Kirk quite interested.
"Well don't suppose he couldn't stay there forever, it will all be different when I have a large manor of my own, perhaps you can be my guests. Kinder than staying with my Sisters."
"A quiet drink, in the corner, away from prying eyes."
Once settled.
"What kind of man is your father? If this man that threatens you disappears, will he ask questions? Is he an honourable man of integrity who would be affronted by their not being a foe to beat with his own hands, a man rejecting of trickery and deceit? Would a simple disappearance lead to more questions than comfortable answers?
She pauses to drink after signalling she has more...
"Most importantly, what is expected of you dear Pitr, does your family expect better of you than to carry out dark deeds and lurk in the shadows? Do they expect you to shine?"
Follow me, you're right in saying that these might also bring woe to the hearts of other families.
The servant leads you into a small salon, consisting of several bookshelves and a central table with cards on it.
Please, wait here for the master.
Solaric follows the servant into the small salon and patiently waits. Looking around the room, he picks up a few of the cards to look at them. If time permits, he will also look around at some of the books on the bookshelves. He is looking for anything interesting or of note that my help him find a clue as to the identity of the abductors.
Perception Check
Pitr looks slightly uncomfortable under Countess’ line of questioning. ”Shesh, I just offered you a beer, no need to lay the Chelish Inquisition on me."
"To be honest, I still don’t know too much about my real father and I’m not sure where you’re going with your questions. Is he honorable? Pfff, you mean does he live by other people’s rules? I don’t think so. He lives the life he wants and I respect that. Seems to me it was a duel; the other guy lost and should have moved on. Instead he’s thrown away his life in this quest for revenge and seems ready to hurt anyone else around my father, so I certainly don’t mind putting him down. What kind of questions are you talking about?”
”As for my family, I’m sure the man who I ended up living with would have his views on the matter, but I really don’t care what he has to say. I had to listen to that blow hard long enough,” Pitr finishes sulkily and then finishes his beer.
"I know you make your own rules, and live by your own code, and I respect that. I don't judge that at all."
"What I am getting at is this; a man spends twenty long years with a grudge, and a burning desire to seek revenge. Now I suppose this man could have done the honourable thing and trained day and night for the time and then demand a re-match, but that man wouldn't be sending veiled threats and innuendo, especially not threats of wanting to cause pain and suffering"
"What we have here then, is a different man. A man who has probably spent his time working out where to hurt people the most, family, friends, oved ones. If he just killed you or your father or the like then the extended family would cry and weep, but would move on. If he could get you to do something shamefull, cowardice, murder, find yourself hanged for a crime you didn't commit, then that would be another matter - that could shatter whole families AND see you dead. A most glorious correction of his shame indeed."
"So what I am trying to deduce by questioning you Pitr, is just where the sore spots might be in your family, all the better to know where the daggers are truly pointed. Does he just seek a heart on a plate, or does he intend to shatter your name, for although you blow on about being rebellious and independent you seem not to be a total s.hit so I suspect some degree of goodness in you. You are no cold blooded killer."
"When Kirk arrives we can discuss gathering our intelligence"
Pitr dramatically suppresses a shiver, "It freaks me out how your mind works sometimes, Countess. My dear old dad is a philanderer and ne'er-do-well as near as I can tell. I think his only family is myself, at least that he appears to know about, which makes it doubly odd that he would come up here and explose me, but perhaps he was afraid or seeking to warn me."
"I expect my family here in Karcau would be happy just to see him killed and likewise from his point of view so I think the only real danger is to myself and my father... and I'd rather keep it this way by crushing this one-eyed zealot before he learns more about me."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence on my having some moral fiber by the way." Pitr grins and waves to Kirk.
"Hey it looks like Kirk has finally showed up. So what's the plan?"
"Well the plan is that Kirk and I are going to find this man, and using our guile and wiles we will find out what we need to know. You will return to protect your family member, and your new love. In the morning Kirk and I will be able to share with you what we know, and then the knot can be untangled"
"Sound fair?"
"Yeah, OK." Pitr relents. "I'll wait until tomorrow and see if my father knows anything else. This Severino is staying at the "Voiceless Tenor" near the Opera. Good Luck and don't do anything I'd do."
With that Pitr heads out to find his father and Kirk prepares for a night of work.
"Well Kirk, now it's just the two of us, you will need some better clothes. You don't look like a fit and proper minder for a decent lady on an evening out in the Opera district at all. Surely you have some decent attire from graduation, otherwise we will need to find you some immediately. No big boar spear either. Just small blades or a sword."
With that Victoria leads Kirk off to get attired.
"Once we look the part, we will be going to the "Voiceless Tenor", Your job is to play the part of my minder... minders are there to be seen but not heard. We will seek out this man, and I will get his attentions... once I have him on the line I will remove my gloves. You will be nearby and pick up on the signal and in turn you will make a noise of disapproval, such as a cough. I will pull you aside under the pretext of quietly asking you not to mention anything that could be scandalous to my father. That will be when any plan is set, and provide us with a tidy exit if needed. Anything not understood?"
Stepping into the night, Victoria looks for a bunch of streetkids.
"Hoy there scoundrel, want to make a good bit of coin?"
As they spark up interest she produces a a handfull of silvers.
"There's five silvers here, and they could be yours, all you have to do is a simple job. You are to go to the Nightscarves in three hours, and tell them you saw a bad man trying to break into a building through the one of the front windows, and you think the owners could be home and in danger, or should be warned of the possible attempt. If you manage to play your part well then tomorrow there's another five silvers as a bonus. Make sure you disappear once the Nightscarves arrive."
Victoria gives the children Pitrs address and the address of Pitrs neighbours either side as 'possible addresses', and instructs them to call on Nightscarves nearby that locale.
@ Solaric:
As you browse over the book' titles, there is nothing of interest for you. Some are history books, but most are cheap romances...The moment you take some of the cards into your hand, a well-dressed man in his late thirties enters. He looks depressed and has dark circles around his eyes. His hair is uncombed and he hasn't shaved for at least five days. Without much ado he says
Sorry, but I have to ask you to leave this house, I'm in no state to welcome guests.
@ Victoria:
The urchins, most probably Sczarnis, nod eagerly and promise to do exactly what you assigned to them. But then, one of them -assumedly the cleverest- states
But lady, the nightscarves usually don't investigate in such minor crimes, that's the duty of the city guard.
"Do not apologize. It is I, Solaric Zekkaran of the House of the Vigilant Flame, who am sorry to bother you in such a difficult time. However, I do not come to be a guest, but to track down these villains and bring them to justice! I am here only in my need. Anything you can tell me may help prevent another abduction and allow my companions and me to track these villains to the heart of their evil. May I impose on you to tell me of the circumstances surrounding this vile act?"
Touch of Glory
Diplomacy
The man slowly shakes his head and slumps on a cushioned chair next to the table.
I must give a really poor showing, mhh? You should know that I'm one of Karcau's most prominent composers...maybe you know one of my pieces The Pirate's Wedding or The flamboyant Jester? The music I composed was as adventurous, heroic and dashing as I always thought myself...now that Lina is gone...most probably dead, I'm a skulking shadow of my former self.
But lady, the nightscarves usually don't investigate in such minor crimes, that's the duty of the city guard.
"Oh you are a bright one, the City Guard indeed. For that you will find the reward tomorrow is ten silvers, and of course one of you has a dead bug or rodent handy, for which I will gladly pay another silver right now..."
Her plans in place, Victoria leads Kirk towards the Opera district.
Isn't it funny...or weird?! Actually two of the kids have some sort of dead cockroach with them...
You reach the Opera District and soon also the "Voiceless Tenor". It's a small, but very well-kept building opposite the opera's main entrance and you guess the rooms will surely cost about 10gp per night.
Ivy grows in dark green patches at the facade of the building and the small windows emanate a warm yellow light.
Victoria adjusts Kirks outfit one more time, and examines his hair to make sure it is still neat.
"Seen and not heard. You simply call me 'Lady', and I simply call you 'Boy'. Remember to keep your distance and say nothing. You are to interrupt if I remove my gloves, or he moves to draw steel, think like a minder and maintain the charade. This poppinjay should be easy enough."
She attends her own outfit quickly and exhales.
"My mother would be so proud"
And they enter the 'Tenor'.
As Kirk tries to open the door for you, it is already opened from the inside by a servant wearing a golden brocade livery. As Kirk steps aside to let you enter first, the doorman adresses you
Welcome to the Voiceless Tenor, m'lady. How can we be of service for you this evening?
The interior of the establsihment consists of several alcoves and a central podium for performances. At the far side of the room is a bar and next to it a stairwell leading to the first floor. As far as you can tell two of the alcoves are occupied, but you can't be quite sure.
"Well Kirk, now it's just the two of us, you will need some better clothes. You don't look like a fit and proper minder for a decent lady on an evening out in the Opera district at all. Surely you have some decent attire from graduation, otherwise we will need to find you some immediately."
With that Victoria leads Kirk off to get attired.
"Well, it's not like I went to the Graduation Ball, but I think I have something more business like," Kirk returns with a selection of gray outfits.
+3 Appraise (3 ability score)
+0 Bluff
+2 Climb (2 ability score)
+11 Craft (alchemy) (5 ranks, 3 class skill, 3 ability score)
+0 Diplomacy
+12 Disable Device* (5 ranks, 3 class skill, 4 ability score)
+5 Disguise (2 ranks, 3 class skill)
+9 Escape Artist (2 ranks, 3 class skill, 4 ability score)
+3 Fly (3 ability score)
+0 Handle Animal
+1 Heal (1 ability score)
+10 Intimidate (4 ranks, 3 class skill, 1 trait bonus, +2 racial)
+8 Knowledge (local) (2 ranks, 3 class skill, 3 ability score)
+8 Knowledge (nature) (2 ranks, 3 class skill, 3 ability score)
+3 Linguistics* (3 ability score)
+9 Perception (5 ranks, 3 class skill, 1 ability score)
+3 Profession* (3 ability score)
+8 Ride (1 rank, 3 class skill, 4 ability score)
+6 Sense Motive (2 ranks, 3 class skill, 1 ability score)
+10 Sleight of Hand* (3 ranks, 3 class skill, 4 ability score)
+0 Spellcraft*
+12 Stealth (5 ranks, 3 class skill, 4 ability score)
+8 Survival (4 ranks, 3 class skill, 1 ability score)
+2 Swim (2 ability score)
+5 Use Magic Device* (2 rank, 3 class skill)
* Trained only
Welcome to the Voiceless Tenor, m'lady. How can we be of service for you this evening?
"I seek a quiet repast at the bar, that will be all thank you, a quiet table where I may have some quiet time... my manservant will also require a stool nearby."
Victoria practices her air of superiority.
Solaric listens carefully, filled with great compassion for the grieving man. When the composer finishes speaking, Solaric kindly replies. "My good sir, as a composer, your music is needed now, more than ever, to be able to inspire others and bring hope and courage to their hearts. I know this is a difficult time, but your answers would help our investigation greatly. These villains are wicked, and, I cannot promise you that Lina is alive. However, I can promise you that as long as I am still breathing, I will do everything in my power to bring these villains to justice and find what has happened to her. The first thing we need is information. What connections are there between you and the other families? Anything you can tell me would be of tremendous help. Is there something that you all share in common? I am also trying to find where their lair is located. Where was Lina last seen?"
The servant nods respectful
Please, follow me then.
With a quite abrupt movement the servant turns on his boot heel and strides dramatically towards the bar.
Behind the bar another servant in a similar livery, raises his chin into the air as he spots Kirk, but then he smiles widely as he looks at the half-orc's mistress
What would you like tonight, m'lady?
.
Once having completed his initial training into mettle and magic, and resting the evening at his parents house, Zahur proceeds to the Sharkpool to meet with Swan and Samara.
@ Solaric:
The broken man rubs his eyes and gets up slowly
This is all so wearisome...but OK, I still haven't given up hope completely. Lina was like all children abducted from her bed...we haven't heard anything and all windows and doors were closed...I just don't get it how she could leave the house or someone could intrude. The other families? Besides they also live in this district, I don't see anything we have alike.
@ Zahur:
You find Samara at the Sharkpool, where she chats with Adreanu. Both are elated to see you and you receive quite a share of hugs and compliments.
Hmm? I wonder. Was there any sign of forced entry? Could you be so kind as to let me investigate Lina's room?"
Umm...my wife...she hasn't left lina's room since she disappeared. I guess Andrea thinks, Lina could turn up again in the same way she vanished. I bid you not to enter the room as long as my wife's condition hasn't stabilized. I know that you're a priest and knight of high reputation, but if you could give me atleast another 24 hours to soothe my wife's mind? And no, there were no signs of force.
"My good sir, I feel her grief, but please know, I am a priest of Iomedae and I spend my life in the service of others. I would be honored if you permit me to bestow upon her a blessing of the Inheritor. It may bring healing to her inner wounds and comfort in her need! Furthermore, it would give us an opportunity to investigate and try and find a trail that grows colder by the moment. Every instant we delay, gives them time to flee with your child. Will you please consider my offer?"
Kirk sits on the stool near Countess practicing his air of inconspicuousness.
Zahur returns the greetings; he is happy to see that Samara has returned safe and seems to be fine after the ordeal of the swamps. Once he has some time, and a few drinks, with both of them he asks Samara if they could go to the back to have a conversation.
Once in the back, the Garund's shoulder seem to slump as if just speaking of this issue adds a completely new weight upon his shoulders.
Samara, I need the help of both you and your daughter. While my family is not really ashamed of the path that my sister has taken, we do not openly talk about. It is a very sour point.
My sister has been missing for some time, and I would like to know her whereabouts. I think my parents need some sort of closure, especially my mother. She has never really forgiven my father for giving his children the gift/curse of wanderlust.
From my research I discovered that she was close to Jarovich's nephew while at the academy and even left Karcau with him. I know that Swan knows local gossip and may be able to find information that I was not able to.
Also both of you have a gift in foretelling that could prove helpful.
Could you assist me in trying to find out more information about my sister.
I can compensate you both for your trouble if you so require. I am not sure how your gift works or if it requires something in exchange for it to work.
"Something light, with a glass of wine. In one of the booths."
Victoria looks at the booths for a one eyed man, her Darkvision assuring no one has privacy in the shadow.
"Oh and I'd like a deck of playing cards thank you"
Victoria then takes to her seat, prominent enough to be seen... and begins laying down cards as though in a game of solitaire.
Where are you my good man, where are you?
@ Solaric:
The man seems not entirely persuaded, but in the end he gives in
Maybe your blessings can heal her wounded soul, I don't want to realize later that I didn't try everything.
You follow the man through the darkened house (all curtains have been drawn together) up to the second floor in front of a white door.
That's her room...I, I don't dare to enter it.
@ Victoria:
Not more than three minutes after you have seated yourself, a man appears, who must be Severino. He is a good looking guy in his forties, cleanly shaved, muscled but slim. He wears a crimson eye patch strapped to his bald head and fine clothes.
Excuse me, m'lady?! Rarely have I seen such beauty at the courts of all Taldan lords.
@ Zahur:
After you have Samara what rests so heavy on your soul, she takes your hand and quietly says
Zahur, you have rescued our children, you have rescued me...how could I ever charge you for something?! Swan and I will give our best finding out what happened to your sister. Please, tell me her name and if you could give me something that once belonged to her that would be of great help. Don't worry, we will surely find a way to find her.
"I know this must be difficult. Please permit me." Filled with anticipation of who he is going to meet here, Solaric walks up to the white door and opens it. "Feel free to stay right here."
Excuse me, m'lady?! Rarely have I seen such beauty at the courts of all Taldan lords.
"And rarely have I seen such honeyed words offered so quickly and on such familiar terms! Well I supopse on such a quiet and lonesome night that perhaps I would have you indulge me with a few more, perhaps you might care to join me at the table, you appear to be of appropriate station so as not to cause a scandal. I am Ophelia, may I have the pleasure of knowing the name of the young Lord with the golden tongue?"
Victoria welcomes him to the chair at her table while she continues to flit with the cards half consciously.
"I must warn you, I do expect you to remain a gentleman of course"
"What brings a fellow traveller to this fair city anyhow?"
@ Solaric:
As you open the door, your eyes automatically shift to the low-light vision spectrum for the whole room lies in total darkness.
There is a larger crib, suited for a child of maybe four or five years, and some toys scattered over the floor. A Veiled figure has slumped behind the crib and you can hear a low sobbing.
@ Victoria:
The stranger nods respectful and seats himself opposite to you
My name's Severino Velasco, captain of the Taldan Navy and a man of station, wits, looks and manners. he grins to underline the ironic component of his statement.
I have come to this city to search for something...something I lost a long time ago. But let's rather speak about you Lady Ophelia, I guess you're also a traveller?
He beckons the servant over to your table to order some drinks.
Before walking in, Solaric takes a moment and detects evil in the room. If he is content that there is none he will walk in and address the veiled lady.
"My lady, I am here to bring healing to you and cast some light upon the evil that entered your home."
He beckons the servant over to your table to order some drinks.
"And I would keep my wits about me Captain velasco, especially in the company of a Sailor, as well cut as he might be."
Returning to her more somber mood...
"Yes I am a traveller in town, simply taking a respite in Karcau to see the beauty of the opera district after a recent tragedy. My family hoped that a short trip might ease the pain of my recent loss. Unfortunately no matter how hard I search, what I have lost will never be reclaimed, so I pray your search is more blessed, perhaps you can tell me your tale of loss too, a burden shared is a burden halved, and perhaps take my mind from mine..."
She almost bites her lip, as if in sadness...
@ Victoria:
Severino's smile disappears as he senses your somber mood
My worries are nothing compared to yours, beautiful Ophelia. Let me soothe your scars and tell me what has happened to you?
@ Solaric:
The sobbing stops and you hear a low voice whisper
Who, who are you...I don't want to see any strangers, please leave, I mourn the loss of my daughter.
From behind her husband says
As I told you, please sir, would you...
He signals to the stairs.
"By the light of the Inheritor, bring your divine energy to this woman and her husband and let your light shine upon them to bring healing to their souls! May they know peace again in their day."
Solaric channels the Inheritor's divine energy through himself filling the entire room with her healing energy.
Healing
Before departing, Solaric does a quick look around the room to see if there is any evidence or something of note that will give him a clue either to their identities, where they may have come from and/or how they may have entered the room.
Perception
As the divine energy of Iomedae washes over the room, both parents are startled for a moment. Then the woman rises and unveils. She looks tired, yet her beauty is apparent.
Oh my lord, I can clearly sense that you will find Lina, can I be of any help? Whatever you did just a moment ago, restored my vitae, I...I can clearly feel that my daughter is alive.
Her husband is as surprised as you are, maybe even embarassd.
Sorry m'lord, I think the pain is just too much for her to bear.
"You give me hope, my dear lady! For children have unbreakable bonds with their parents and if you feel that she is alive, then it is clearly so. Let us cast some light upon this room." Solaric opens the curtains and lets the sunlight stream in. He resumes with his search trying to find anything that will give him a clue as to where to find the abductors.
"I will be leaving you shortly, but in my haste for justice, I must ask you, is there anything you noticed that is different in this room since she was kidnapped? Something out of place, or something they may have dropped? Is there anything unusual about Lina's room that you are aware of?"
The woman looks around, trying to remember if anything has changed, then her husband enters the room again and says
Yes, two things were odd when I entered the room in the morning, Lina had vanished. The holy symbol of Shelyn I had placed above the crib was gone and a portrait of one of my forefathers had a dark stain on it. But it's gone, I threw it away...didn't think that this could have been of relevance. It looked like mold or something and I thought that the wall behind it was maybe wet.
"This is very interesting. Tell me about this forefather. Was he a man of importance or did he work for a particular faction in his day?"
Bluff
"Just within this very month, I lost my poor fiance... it was a tragedy, he was lost to me, duelling against a rival jealous of our affection, to have what we had cut so tragically short. So sad a tale, he was big and strong as an ox, he stood nobly head and shoulders taller than lesser men. And to be cut down so by a cheating knave who fought so dishounourably and striking him fatally in a moment of distraction, a crime and a tragedy fit for opera...so I am here, trying to see some beauty in the world, and perhaps a new dawn. tell me of your tale, tell me the tale of your loss and how your seeking us unfolding..."
@ Solaric:
Oh...I hardly know he really was my forefather, it was just a portrait I once found in the attic, I'm sorry, but I really don't have an idea what his name was and when he lived, but he reminded me of my grandfather.
@ Victoria:
Severino seems to become agitated as you speak about a duel
A duel, won by trickery? Ha! That's exactly the story of my life, too. Many years ago I was as cheated as your poor fiance. But by Desna's will I remained alive. Now I'm searching for the man who took my eye and I found him here in Karcau. Beautiful Ophelia, fate has brought us together, I think Shelyn is watching over us.
He lays his hand on yours and looks deep into your eyes
"Can you show me where on the wall this portrait was hung?" Solaric concentrates to try and Detect Evil on that area. "Are you certain that this stained portrait can not be found? It may hold an important clue. Where would you have disposed of it?"
@ Victoria:Severino seems to become agitated as you speak about a duel
A duel, won by trickery? Ha! That's exactly the story of my life, too. Many years ago I was as cheated as your poor fiance. But by Desna's will I remained alive. Now I'm searching for the man who took my eye and I found him here in Karcau. Beautiful Ophelia, fate has brought us together, I think Shelyn is watching over us.
He lays his hand on yours and looks deep into your eyes
"Oh by Desna no! You don't plan to go through with a duel!? A man cheating once will surely cheat again, I worried at my fiance facing off a treacherous foe and my concern was shown as real, and I was a weeping woman, oh you can't! If your dog of a foe cheats again anything could happen, and then I would be doubly cursed that men of my acquaintaince are cursed to die in duels, I will never find love of a man to marry...
"Unless.... no, no I shouldn't say such a thing, even for a noble purpose you would never coutenance anything that would shift the odds in your favour unfairly, even if I would have it so to spare a needless loss. I shouldn't suggest such a thing, but don't two wrongs make a right? if the man you fight couldcheat then doesn't the just lady demand the odds be re-evened?..."
"Oh I'm sorry I say such things, I shouldn't tempt such a good man with such a thing. No please, just forget what I was saying. Perhaps you'd just indulge me and let me see if my intuition can simply act as a guide... please just indulge my fancy and draw three cards from this deck and place them face up on the table, our family has a style of Harrowing using normal cards, I'd see your fortune... let us not rely on the magics I shouldn't have mentioned, and maybe rely on just a womans intuition"
Bluff