The name Ranger's Lament sounds familiar to you as you are chatting.
"Sure," Cotton says, shrugging. "That might work. Just one question: are there any Gnomes at all in that cult of theirs? How about Dwarves? Because folks like Dyrm and me would kind of stick out, even in masks and wide robes."
"You aren't the only ones." Vera says gesturing to her tusks. "But from what he's said I think we can be certain our grave robbers came here. So we're on the right track. But Cotton has a point. In the event that some of us get turned away maybe we should all try and go there separately. Pretend not to know each other. That at least one of us might get through." Vera scratches her head. "I can't say I'm really comfortable with even pretending to join another faith, but It does seem like the best option this time."
"Don't worry, Vera," Cotton says, patting Vera on the hip (the shoulder being too high for her to reach). "Your teeth won't show through a mask, so all you really need to do is beat one of those cultists up in an alley and take their gear. We can just hogtie the creep and put them on a southbound boat. I'm sure there'll be captains willing to take people far away for a few gold."
"Like Vera, I'm a bit reluctant about pretending to have abandoned my true faith," The druid mutters.
"Well, like I said: unless there's Dwarves and Gnomes in this cult, we wouldn't be able to pass for members anyway," Cotton says, shrugging. "Not unless I ride on your shoulders and we share a cloak, anyway."
Moira listened to the whole story. And by the end she had reached the end of her sensibilities. "WHAT?" she asks loudly. She cringes at the noise and quiets back to a whisper immediately. "This is absolutely ridiculous. You want us, people from a small village, people you don't even know, to infiltrate a cult her in the city that has the backing of the guard? No. Absolutely not. We don't know the first thing about them or infiltration. Where are your own people if this is so important?"
Sa'sori shrugs, "... is the only rule of CALISTRA'S faith... so posing as a foes to get closer to them for a 'sting of vengeance' is perfectly acceptable... at least to me. I like the idea of trying to infiltrate separately first... so we can see IF the cult has some particular preference to races or not. I think we should not ...as yet mug one of their members to steal a disguise until we know if simply walking in and asking to join won't in and of itself work. That way none of their members goes missing before we are ready to strike ... if we deem striking at this particular temple is the best option..since it seems their leader has already left!"
"The fact that you're from a small town makes you all the more credible. From what I've seen, they don't turn away any race, but again it is hard to tell from the robes. I have seen creatures the size of halflings walking among them so I'm sure they don't discriminate in that sense."
"No one is forcing you to do this. Cygar informed me you would want to know why Razmir's followers defiled your crypt. This is a chance to do that. If you can't or won't, no one is going to look down on you."
"There is a point," Dyrm admits, "We don't know fully what else they had planned. And what if they mean to harm others?"
Vera nods at Dyrm's comment. "Right. Not to mention, to the guard and normal people THEY are the good guys. We get caught doing something like stealing clothes or interrogating someone and WE become the bad guys. Joining up is the best option. I'm not really comfortable with it, but this is the safest and quickest method of gaining information and time may well be a factor here."
"I thought we were dealing with bandits. Something small. Not a damn cult." She holds her head in her hands, trying to wrap her head around all the things this man was saying. Could they even trust half the things he said?
"My thoughts exactly. It seems to be the surest way to keep our agents safe. Do I have your support? Is there anything else you'ld like to ask of me?"
Dyrm lowers his voice, "We're a bit overburdened with coin at the moment, and I'm reluctant to let a cult 'hold it for us' or whatever theyd do. Can you suggest some stores were we might purchase potions or other items that might help us in our mission?"
Keeping a low tone, "I can recommend a few shops to you. Just be careful to keep a low profile."
Reginar will give you directions to a few trustworthy shops and names of who to speak to in those shops.
Sa'sori cast a wondering expression Moira's direction at her objections but dismissed them, "Well I'm in ... if these cultists are growing in power.. and willing to use such underhanded methods as theft and defilement of the dead.. then Someone needs to stop them! You can count on me!"
Then with a very naughty expression on her face, "..besides, I'm sure THEY have loot we can... aheh, 'liberate' from them... as they will not be needing it much longer...!"
"Pfft. Over burdened. Can't believe you guys are so gungho about this." Moira sighs. When did her friends become so...shouldn't say stupid. I can't let them do this alone. No caution at all. "Fine. I am going too. Someone needs to make sure you don't die."
"I wouldn't say we're gungho. We decided to trust the pathfinder who sent us here to this man. We either trust him or we don't. If we do, we should follow his advice. If we don't, why did we come here in the first place? I'm not saying we shouldn't be on guard, but I don't really see any other good options. If you have a better plan though I'm all ears."
"What Vera said. I too would love to hear a better plan."
"I don't. I just..." She sighs in exasperation trying to find the right words. "This is way bigger than I ever thought. If we screw up, almost this entire town will be against us. We won't be going home. Ever, most likely. Piss off the wrong person here and...Look we a good first impression so we have that. Hopefully that will distract the guards." That was mostly rationalization for her own benefit but she was still extremely nervous about this. But not unwilling to try.
"So we don't act rashly. We go to this meeting, get some information and leave. There's no need to start any trouble just yet."
Moira opens her mouth and shuts it quickly. There was more to say but not in the company of the man that gave them the information. Later. "Right."
Reginar leans back listening in and letting you talk among yourselves. "If you've decided then, I'm going to see myself out. They've noticed me watching and poking around their temple more than once. I don't want my presence to harm your chances of success in your mission. Remember, report back everything you've learned here in exactly 1 week."
Sa'sori takes a deep breath, "So Be It."
Then turning to her friends she continues,"...alright let's split up our reward bounty from the Pirates... with all the activity and partying in here we should be fine. I'm going to go sell all the remaining loot from the pirates. I'll go do that and come back here in an hour to give you all your share of the weapons and gear sale.. then we can all go shopping."
"Works for me."
Sa'sori nods, "Then.. I'll get right on it."
Turning to Moira, "I'll need the your carrying.. all the loot in in there after all! .. if you will come with me..? I think it best none of us go anywhere alone for now."
"Not going alone seems wise to me as well," The dwarf approves, still unsure what to do with his part of the wealth.
"Sure, Sassy," Cotton says, shrugging. "Not sure what to buy with my loot, though... Hmm. Then again... Some healing potions... maybe visit an alchemist's shop if they have one in town."
Sa'sori smiles... and regarding Dyrm, "..perhaps a suit of Ironwood-Wooden Armor might make you a little more defensive !", she winks at him good-naturedly.
Turning back to Cotton, "Right... let's go!"
Moira hands over the bag. "Guess I'll check out the tavern. Anyone want to join me there?"
"I'll join you."
As the group splits up, Dyrm, Cotton and Sa'sori set off into the market. Throngs of crowds gather in the various shops and stalls selling anything from fish and fresh bread, to potions and magical arms and armors. More people are gathered in this market than twice of all of Kassen's holdings. A shock to your small town minds.
Moira and Vera set out to the Ranger's Lament. Sitting in the shadow of the Temple to Razmir, the Ranger’s Lament is a simple establishment. Made from solid wood timbers, the one-story building is comprised primarily of a large common room, with a bar and a kitchen off to one side. Although open for business, very few people appear to be inside, despite the fact that many of the other local establishments seem quite full. Once inside a human behind the bar welcomes you and tells you to take any seat in the house.
"We may be here a while. Got any preferences on seating?" Vera asks looking to Moira.
"Not...really," she says looking around the common room curiously. "Why does this place have no customers?" Realizing Vera wouldn't have the answer so directs it at the barkeep. "Where is everyone?"
The bartender shrugs, "Guess it's just a slow day. You here for food or drinks. Got another hour left until the dinner specials start."
You get the feeling the man is lying. He doesn't seem hostile.
"I'll take both. Something light to tie me over until dinner." She then finds a place near the front door or windows and watches the people on the street. She watches to see the reactions of people as they walk by the temple and the tavern. When the barkeep comes by with food she asks, "Doesn't look too slow out there. Am I the first ranger this city has seen in a while?"
Dyrm goes with Cotton and Sa'sori to the market, glancing about to see what sort of goods might beckon to him.
Sa'sori leads the way through the markets heading to in turn weaponssmiths and armorsmiths selling the pirate looted weapons, armor and gear that the party does not need. She does not haggle but accepts the half price resale value.
She is careful to slip into alleys and remove the items she wants to sell from the bag of holding where no one can see so as to keep quiet the fact she has such a magic items before entering any business to sell loot. If asked where she obtained this loot she will simply tell of bandits on the road here that will no longer need them... again keeping quiet any involvement with pirates.
The last item the she will sell as discretely as possible to a local theater where such and item might actually be useful for stage productions.
Once all is sold Sa'sori will lead the way to Ranger's Lament ...hopefully within the hour so she can give Vera and Moira their shares of the sold items...
"Now we can go shop...!", she says cheerfully to Cotton.
"Just something to drink for me." Vera sits with Moira, but rather than looking at the people outside she keeps her focus on the few people inside the establishment as innocuously as possible.
In the Rangers Lament: The bartender smiles at you both, "Coming right up. That'll be 15 copper for the ranger and 5 for the young half-orc." Once your payments in hand, the man brings two mugs of ale and a small bowl filled with a warm broth.
In town: As you make your way through town you find the people to be friendly enough. As you start to explain where you got the weapons and armor to the blacksmith he cuts you off. "I don't want to know. I wouldn't normally buy wares this cheaply made, but with all the issues we've had in the bay with pirates I consider it my part to reward anyone who aids in any form of banditry."
A wealthy playwriting seems sceptcal at first, but with a bit of convincing finally relents and trades 120 platinum pieces for your Horn of Fog, on the condition you keep the idea a secret.
As the man goes to serve others, Moira leans across to Vera and speaks quietly. "He's lying but that's obvious at this point. All the other places are busy but this one. It's not a slow day. People are just avoiding this place. Maybe the cult has the guard in its pocket but not the people. Can you get more from him when he comes back?"
"That depends on how much of our hand you want to show." Vera whispers back. "But I'll try." Vera will wait for the bartender to come back around so as to not look to eager.
"So, we're new to the area but we've been hearing good things about these followers of Razmir. I'm a cleric myself, but this is the first time I've heard about them." Vera smiles sheepishly, "I've never been very good at learning history, but they've caught my interest and I was hoping to learn a bit more about them."
His posture shifts at the unexpected question. "Couldn't say, I'm not much religious myself. Temples across the way if you want to ask." His tone clearly suggests he's not a talkative barkeep. He makes himself scarce and over the next hour the few patrons in the place begin to clear out until you're the only two left in the bar. Seeing your drinks are empty the man approaches again. "You need a refill, dinner pricing has started."
"I'd like a refill and a meal please. Thank you"
His face hardens clearly trying to hold back showing emotion, "No problem, that'll be 300 gold."
You get the feeling, made obvious by the price hike that he is trying to force you to leave.
"That's a bit too rich for my blood. I think I'll just have a refill then thanks." Vera puts on her toothiest smile.
"If you can't pay, you can't stay. Have a nice day, come back anytime." The man spins on his heel and makes his way back behind the bar.
"No wonder no ones in here," Moira says quietly. "Maybe these guys aren't as popular as we thought." She then gets up to leave to head back to the Forest's Bounty. Hopefully the others' shopping spree was over.
"I'm wondering why he's so eager to get us out of here. Think it's worth trying to find out?" Vera asks quietly.