Ingoe bows with a flourish, "My pardon mistress, I was the man Kayal contacted about infiltrating a meeting at the Last Stand tavern last night. My name is Ingoe Zoags, though most just call me Mr. Ingoe. I run the Longacre docks north of town. I learn a lot of interesting rumors and events that are going on and thought you might be interested in what I hear."
Waving a hand towards Kayal and Penance, Rurisa turns away and pulls out several release forms for the ex-guards. "I see, then they can handle this, seems like they've got a good head for this sort of thing." Sitting down heavily in her chair, she starts working through the forms.
"I've never found too much information a particular burden... can we afford his price out of the working expenses?" Vokrin suggests, as again it tends to be useful to have any forewarning possible. One can have only as much preparedness as he has foresight. "I should think that having more agents on the payroll would also serve us well in the times to come, provided the Archbaron is footing the bill and not we peons."
"Of course of course, Mr. Ingoe. Forgive my acquaintance. She is somewhat flustered given recent news. As always, your information is valuable and well appreciated. This should cover your expenses and remember, discretion is the better part of valor."
Penance opened his own belt pouch and counted out 12 gold coins. "Here, a little extra for your trouble."
Taking the list of names he began to review them. "So, when should be pay these delightful people a visit?" he asked of no one in particular.
Once the man had left, he muttered "I must remember to include that on my expense report, yes."
Ingoe bows again and leaves, promising to drop by with any interesting rumors he hears around the city. Cimri gives him a quick mock salute as he leaves and turns to everyone in the office, "Alright. So plans for tonight? Hunting down flyers or people on the list? Or doing something else?"
Rurisa takes her time to answer, not wanting to mess up her signature on Curtwyn's release form and aware that her handwriting was a travesty is she isn't careful. As she finished up she lets out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding and leans back in her chair.
"Ingoe's list is a valuable resource, we'll see if he remains useful. But the flyers are a bit more immediate. Who knows, our seditious poster may be one of these," she gestures at the list of names. "I think this should be out next-highest priority."
Cimri whoops and drags out her well-used map of the town. She starts marking locations throughout while chatting, "So the majority of the posters and flyers were around the church square, but there were some posted on Castle Gate, and by the Last Stand...You know they seem to concentrate around where we posted the Archbaron's new laws, though that didn't stop them from hitting the other frequented parts of town...Where do we want to start? I'd suggest keeping an eye on the square first."
"Agreed. These flyers seem to be the more immediate concern. We should remove them post haste. And what's more, we should be seen removing them. The list of names, that can be dealt with in a more discreet manner. No need for witnesses on that endeavor" Penance said as he twiddles his fingers, a smile creeping onto his face.
"I agree..." Cimri pulls out four of her daggers and begins juggling with them. "So, spend the day pulling posters, let the deputies go back to their lives, set up a watch tonight? Sound about right?" Cimri curses violently and stares at the ceiling. "I could've sworn the ceiling was higher than this. Give me a minute to pull my dagger free."
"I distinctly disagree... though it may increase enmity, we should make an example at least of a few, if only to improve the secrecy of the populace at large. If we allow something so blatant to pass, merely tearing down flyers, we might be seen as weak." Vokrin voices, an unusual opinion to be sure. "But that can be seen to in time, for now the removal of all propaganda must be seen to forthwith."
By this point Cimri has stacked several chairs haphazardly to reach the ceiling. They creak and groan as she jiggles her dagger in the ceiling. "How many do you want to punish and how far should we go. I know I typically break wrists when someone screws me over..."
Putting her signature on the last release form, Rurisa grunts. "While my instinct is to agree with Vokrin, we should avoid doing anything to ruin the progress we've made with the deputies. Perhaps when the time for punishment comes we can entice them into doing it..." The Hellrazor dwells on that thought for a moment.
"In any case, yes, we tear down the posters and then wait for the culprit. One problem at a time."
It takes the rest of the day to find all of the flyers, several of which were off the beaten path. Each of the flyers is well made, though all hand drawn. The question that pops up regularly is "Will you come when she calls?" with pictures of a woman in armor, or of the familiar angelic helmet from the church square. Each of these is hand drawn, and the penmanship is impeccable, on the level of Kayal's writing.
Cimri spends time walking between locations cutting snowflakes and other shapes out of the papers. "You know," she hums, "whoever made these is very good. When we catch them, do you want to see if they'll be willing to draw propaganda for the Arch-Baron?"
"I will keep watch. I've gotten fairly good at being unseen and I can see in the dark pretty well."
"Nothing too cruel, merely some time in the stocks perhaps. A public demonstration that we will root out the culprits of any malfeasance, and see justice done." To the later question, he submits that he has marvelous vision at night, but needs his rest to be at his best.
Cimri reaches down and pats Penance on the shoulder looking at everyone else, "Right, I think we've got this. Everyone else can rest up while we keep an eye out tonight." She stretches and pats her sheathes making sure all of her daggers and kukri are in place.
Cimri looks up and down the street until she finds Penance. "Start in Church square and move around, or stick to one location?"
After Cimri and Penance depart, Rurisa sighs and collects the paperwork (after asking Kayal and Vokrin to sign off on them) before going into the cellblock to address the ex-deputies. "Alright, I have your release forms here so you're free to go, and remember you're welcome to apply for your jobs back tomorrow morning."
After the protocols for releasing them have been completed and the guards depart, Rurisa brings Caggan his dinner. "I don't suppose you'll talk to me?"
The former deputies stretch and shake off the weariness in their bones before taking their forms and walking out the door, Curtwyn leaving with a nasty glare.
Bolgart swears and spits in a corner. "I'll talk to you, but you won't like what I have to say..." His eyes bloodshot from the beating and the lack of rest, his face is just now turning to purple bruises, though the edges are still green.
Pointing to the bruising, "You want another healing potion for that? People are gonna think you're a masochist after starting so many fights you lose. Why do you hate us so much anyway? You don't know anything about us."
Caggan scowls and spits again. "The first time wasn't a fight, it was an anger management issue. The second time you got the jump on me, and I'll admit you have a nasty right hook, but it'd be different if I was trying to do more than get you out of my damned bar."
Bolgart sighs and leans against the brickwork of his cell. "You, and your group, aren't the target of hatred. Frustration yes, anger, righteous anger, most definitely. It is because of your employer. That man has been squeezing this town dry for some time. He's using this place as his own personal bank and he has driven many out of business already, with more on the way for sure. With the proclamation made in Church Square the other day seems the people are getting ready to take Fex down a peg."
He looks at Rurisa with his reddened eyes. "I will tell you, it is best for everyone that I leave this cell before tomorrow." As he speaks his words become a guttural growl near the end of his sentence.
Rurisa nods along with most the answer--it was expected, after all, but that last bit causes her to frown and peer at him more closely. "Why, are you sick? Kayal is a priest, I could send him in..."
"One spot my dear. It's easy enough to conceal oneself without having to do it multiple times. Let's find a good vantage point and settle in. Let the traffic come to us."
Caggan coughs twice, clearing his throat, "Something like that. Send in your priest, he won't be able to help. But heed my warning, if I'm not out of this cell tonight you and yours will be in trouble."
Penance and Cimri settle down in the building overlooking the Church Square once more. Their vantage point gives them a great view of anything happening, though Cimri has some trouble only having the light of a nearly full moon to rely on. Penance doesn't have the same issues, and sees several people breaking the curfew, rushing through the shadows and heading home after a late night.
"Penance," Cimri questions carefully. "I've lived in Longacre all my life and I haven't met too many gnomes at all. What brings you here? And why do you call yourself Penance? That's a code name or a nick name, or, well anything but a birth name. So what gives?"
"Gnomes are gnomes my child, the same way humans are humans. What I mean is, you and Caggen are both humans, but you're not very similar, are you?"
"It is said that we have a deep tie to the world of the fey, but beyond that, we're not much different from humans or halflings, and about the size of the latter."
"To answer your questions though, would require more time than I care to waste on my own behalf. I was sent to Longacre by my superiors in the church of Asmodeus for reasons that I am not at liberty to say. And no, Penance is not my birth name. I left my birth name behind when I left my parents."
"So why are you still in Longacre?
Cimri shrugs and begins sharpening her kukri while sitting on the windowsill, one leg dangling outside the building. "Truth is I've been looking for a way out of this hole for years now. Learned a lot to figure out how to get out, knifing from an ex-brigand, lock-picking from a wandering Varisian, drinking from army vets, swearing from loggers." She blows out a sigh and stares out at the church square again. "Nothing helped until I found Razelgo and you guys. Do a good enough job and I'm sure I'll find a way out of this town."
"By the way, I can't wait to see what you can do. Give it some time, you'll get an opportunity. I'll even stay and watch, may learn something from you."
The night passes slowly, but Penance and Cimri don't see anyone with papers or flyers of any sort. Cimri lets out a yawn as the sun begins to look over the town, "Guess they need time to make more flyers..."
"Uh huh. Well you have a good night, Caggan, if you think of any more blustery threats for me just holler."
Vokrin sleeps the sleep of the oblivious. It is glorious. His door is locked, his windows are barred, and every paranoid means of protection is employed.
Rurisa waits up, disturbed by Caggan's vague threats despite herself, until Cimri and Penance have returned. The mercenary then relates what Caggan said, "What do you think? Is he just bluffing or does he have a card yet to play? Nobody knows anything about him, he could be a former adventurer and know all sorts of tricks. When Vokrin awakes we should ask him."
Cimri wanders back into the jailhouse stretching and yawning the entire time. "Not sure really. Like you said Caggan is something of a mystery, but everyone in town likes him well enough. Could be someone is trying to spring him?" Leaning in she whispers, "I know these flyers are important, but if Caggan is insisting on letting him out what do you say about baiting whatever he expects? If he's bluffing, no harm no fowl, but if he's not we can spring something on him that'll blind-side him."
"Caggen certainly seems the fool, and posturing is something that he does quite frequently. Still, this seems to be a poorly thought-out attempt at intimidation at best, and he has to realize that his threats have not worked so far. I can only deduce that he believes what he says. That being said, our best interest does not seem to be his focus. So why even attempt to warn us of anything?" Penance wondered aloud.
Penance has several theories about what Caggen could be talking about, but his favorite, given the time of month, Caggen's general disposition and anger issues, and his vague warnings, is that Caggen is a were-beast of some sort. Though at this time it's impossible to tell just what form he may take.
"What happens if you kill a were-beast while its shifted form? Does it turn back into a normal-looking human or does it stay monstrous?"
"I believe it depends on the nature of the beast itself. Were it a true lycanthrope, it should revert to it's hybrid form. Humanoids inflicted with the disease would return to their regular humanoid form."
"Let's assume for a moment that Caggen is indeed a lycanthrope of some kind, how do we use this information against him most effectively? And does it change how we want to proceed in regards to his release?"
"It means he'll be seen as monster, surely? We can hold him indefinitely and destroy his reputation with the locals. Seize his property, look like heroes. I don't see a downside here.."
"Hard to prove without letting the townsfolk see him though, right? At least based on what Penance is saying."
"Exactly. Is there a way for force a werecreature to shift forms? Of course, this is all assuming that we're correct, and we don't know that to be the case."
A knock sounds at the door of the jail. Cimri opens it to reveal, once again, Ingoe Zoags. He gives a short bow before proffering a letter. "It seems one of my contacts has come upon something very interesting, a letter by Dr. Rohalendi to one of her family outside the city. I'll leave this with you and be on my way, though I will return if I find any more news."
Cimri takes the letter and unfolds it before reading aloud,
My dearest Nivianne,
I hope this letter finds you well for I am not. I was informed yesterday morning that due to the new tax laws put in place by Archbaron Fex that I owe 300 gold pieces in back taxes. I have some little money that I can use to keep my hospice open for a while yet, maybe a week or two at most, but I won't be able to afford those taxes. And without that money I'll have to close my practice, and I don't know how to tell the people who depend on me. Do you have any suggestions? I wish you and Geoff the best.
Regards,
Gerya
Cimri looks the letter over forward and back. "Other than the local hospice shutting down soon, I don't see what the big deal is..."
Holding the letter as he read it and reread it, Penance looked for hidden meaning in the letter. He examined the handwriting, searched for patterns, and even peered at the letter upside down.
Penance discovers no ciphers, hidden messages, or anything of that nature. It appears a genuine plea for compassion and nothing more. Cimri thinks back, "She was the woman we met at the post in the Church square when we were out putting up the new laws. She's a nice enough lady, and always follows the law from what I've been told. Would probably help us in a pinch..."
Cimri looks back and forth between everyone, "I know this is might disrupt watching for the flyers, but should we stay here tonight in case Caggan gets all..." She makes a growling noise and claws with her hands pretending to savage something in the air.
Vokrin arrives, looking well rested and prepared to crush the hopes and dreams of many a starry-eyed youth. "Morning," he grumbles from between tight lips.
"Ahh yes, very well put."
One arm rested on the other as Penance stroked his chin in thought. "Do you think people know? How long has he been in Longacre? How long has his establishment been open? I wonder..."
"I think we should remove the flyers and do so soon. The longer they are up, the more of an affront they are to the Archbaron. Caggen should be secure enough locked in the stocks, and even if he were to escape, he should be easy to find. He might even come looking for us..."
Penance's view may have been skewed when it came to the large man. A large part of his attention was dedicated to exacting vengeance on the man but Penance tried to temper this enthusiasm with logical thinking. After all, they still had a job to do.
Cimri hands Vokrin the letter to look over. "Looks like the hospice might shut down, but there's not much else there. We've figured Caggan is some sort of were somethin' and it looks like we've decided to watch for the flyer layer again tonight?" The last is a question directed mostly at Rurisa, seeing her as something of the leader for the group.
"I think we should employ our new contact, the one who got us the list of names, to watch the streets of a night. We need to be rested to keep the peace ourselves," Vokrin starts. "As to the hospice, it could similarly prove a useful influence, as well as to show the Archbaron's... generosity. I think we should at least bring the topic to his attention. A little good will can go a long way, especially in... quelling revolt." Vokrin chooses his words with extreme care, lest he be thought of as soft. After all, his talk of sleeping and being nice were certainly not those he should generally espouse if seeking to be feared or respected, but it was sound counsel none the less.
To the thought of Caggan being a were-beastie, Vokrin looks thoughtful. "I don't know as much about werewolves as I would like, but I should think that we could put him down if it came to that."