Thessel walks outside after Baltwin's chiding, and keeps walking.
Auntie Baltwin looks at the elf preparing the bow and gives Archmoon the 'I dare you use force on me' look. A couple cats jump down from chairs and approach the lady.
"Pathfinders you say? More like thugs. Get out you pointy eared hoodlums."
Several children walk up to the porch to hear the commotion...
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Dahriakt seen how things are starting to get going out of control moves from Elin side and closer to Archmoon, resting his hand on his bow and giving him a look as is begging to hold himself. He then proceed to address auntie Baltwin and says: "Lets take a deep breath, we are all here trying to work towards a common goal, arent we?"
then moving closer to auntie he proceeds to say in a voice way louder than necessary: "We are just trying to clear out this confussion, which im sure must be a misunderstanding, please I beg u to have some more patience with us, so we can be in our way with good news for everybody. Can u please bear with us a little longer and show us around some more, I promiss no harm will come to you and as soon as we are done we will be on our way".
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After Dahr's intervention Archmoon makes a long silent pause, takes a deep breath, calms down and pulls back his longbow.
Archmoon tries to speak loud enough so that Eli could hear, but without sounding too suspicious:
"Very well, I think we have the information we needed. We will report back to Ollysta."
Addressing only his companions:
"I will be waiting outside if you want to stay a little longer, if not I think we are ready to go."
Archmoon walks out and waits outside the house.
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Eli seeing all the eveidence he needs in the bedroom closes the door and gets a handful of copper ready in his hands. Eli will move towards the window which he came into the house and tries to move with out being seen.
If not successful getting past the kids without being seen, Eli will drop the coppers (15 coppers) on to the floor for the children to pick up and distract them and then exit the window.
If sneaky enough he will just go out the window
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Elindriel stands up and walks to the door. "Very well, Miss Baltwin. Your reticence to cooperate has been noted. I will have to assume that the rumors we have heard are all true, if you are unwilling to defend yourself against them. I do hope that you find that help you mentioned, and if you find yourself in better straits as a result, you may petition the Silver Crusade for help at that time."
...and with that, she's on her way to the next task.
She walks you out the front door and stops at the step to the porch...
"I run a reputable orphanage here and the health and safety of the children are my number one goal. But I can tell that you still have my doubts and if you need to report my problem (pointing to bottle) to your Silver Crusade, maybe they will see fit to help me. The children really depend on those medicines you know..."
As you walk out you hear several children cheer from inside the house. Not sure if they were glad to see you leave or something else happened. Nevertheless, you exit the gate and head down the street.
Soon you are rejoined by Eli, who is a few copper pieces shorter but has a smirk that indicates he may have additional information on the orphanage.
So, as you head down the street, where to next?
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Eli catches up to the others out on the street
Well now that was fun. That lady is a oiece of work. She's got quite a racket going there. I'm sure you noticed she had a big drinkin problem, but that is the lightest of her offenses. she also is hoarding the donations most likely selling them to get coin for herself. But worst of all in my opinion she is having the kids do "chores" which to say is she is hiring them out to neighbors to clean houses and other such work.
Wli shakes his head
We definitely need to report this back and then move on to our next task.
Looking at his new compatriots and then looking around
where's Thessel?
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Archmoon answers Eli:"The halfling left the group for unknown reasons. I've heard that halflings have a short attention span and are very hyperactive. Maybe that was the case, but the reason why he left is irrelevant."
Addressing the whole group: "Not only should we report back to the paladin of the Silver Crusade, we should also do something about the map we found in the vaults, it is property of that osirian nobleman, is it not?"
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Elindriel shakes her head. "Let's report back to the Silver Crusade, but rather than waste time going back to the Pathfinders now to deliver the map, let's do the remaining two tasks and go back at the end of the day. Time is, after all, running out."
"Let's deliver our news about Miss Baltwin and the medicine, then head to the Ivy District. Any objections?"
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"Very well then, let's finish this as soon as possible."
Then addressing his elf companion "What say you wizard? You've been too quiet lately.. even for my tastes, something bothering you?"
"What? No, sorry, I was...distracted of a sorts. I could not help but notice that the kind lady who was running the orphanage had a distaste towards non-humans. I simply thought that it would be better if I do not interfere. My...contempt towards people like her would not help us, and to be honest I am not very good with kids. So I settled with trying to notice if anything seemed out of place, and analysing the information we had. And I have to admit - I believe that all of you were very commendable while finishing this task."
With that, wizard bows his head slightly, while something resembling a smile danced at the edge of his lips. "Now, I believe Lady Elindriel is right - let us get back to the Silver Crusade, and then hurry back towards Ivy district."
As you make your way back to the temple to report on your ivestigaton of Auntie Baltwin, you notice the streets have grown even more crowded at noon. More eateries and street vendors selling their wares.
At your approach of the temple, you are immediately ushered in to meet with Lady Zadrian.
"Greetings again Pathfinders! Were you able to deliver the parcel of medicine to Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery in the Eastgate district? And more importantly, do you have anything to report back with evidence that Baltwin isn’t worthy of the Silver Crusade’s aid?"
She looks to each of you and listens intently to all you have to say...
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Elindriel sighs and hands the medicine back to Lady Zadrian. "I'm sorry to have to report this, Lady Zadrian, but you should find another outlet for your charity."
She takes a deep breath and continues, "First, it is apparent that Auntie Baltwin has a significant drinking problem. She says that she wants help, but considering some of the other...erm...well, let me just continue. When we arrived at the home, Auntie Baltwin claimed that she had just run out of medicine. However, upon further investigation, we found that she had a significant stockpile in her office. The lie might have been forgivable, if it were not for other evidence that she has been hiring the children out for odd jobs."
Elindriel pauses to let those words sink in...
"I want to express the gratitude of the Silver Crusade on the information you have provided. You showed great restraint and creativity. I will ensure the authories are notified and her so called orphanage will be closed. Please accept the following as payment and reward for your services. For any of you that are interested, the Silver Crusade is always looking for new Pathfinders willing to join our cause."
She hands you a small bag of coins containing platinum and gold coins totaling 68gp for each of you.
She bows to you as you leave...
As you leave the temple in the early afternoon and head towards the Ivy District, you ponder on your next task on the list. You figure you may just have enough time to complete the last two and get back to the Lodge before dusk.
I know nothing about the Lady, but we might as well be on our way
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"Lady Zarta is a Paracountess. A discussion on the subject whether that title actually means something or not is best left for some other moment, when we are not in such a hurry as we are right now"
Huffing and puffing, elven wizard was trying to keep up with the others. "Aside from the fact that her title is rather...imaginative to say the least, only other things I know of her are more or less considered as general knowledge. She is a influential diplomat from the nation of Cheliax, and it is rumored that she has more than one dwelling in the city."
Smiling mischeviously, he adds: "Of course, all standard attributes usually related to Chelaxian noble can be assigned to her as well. But, we must not forget the fact that she bears considerable prestige within Pathfinder society, and therefore we should act accordingly"
You make your way through the avenues to your destination without incident.
Arriving at Paracountess Zarta Dralneen’s townhouse in the Ivy District, you come upon a magnificent gothic structure three stories in height. The ebon lacquered double doors wrought with gleaming silver fixtures greet the characters, a prickly brass cone hanging from a chain serving as the door chime.
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"I was taught that the world is not painted in such black and white contrasts, but more in multitude of shades of gray. True, sometimes it is very easy to make the right choice, but I would not assume that it will always be so. Both you and me have agreed to train and work for Pathfinder Society. I do not know for you, but even prior to my joining I was well aware that Society itself is comprised of people of varying moral and ethical attitudes. If not before, than during your training you must have noticed that. For one reason or another, this Lady holds some degree of influence within Society. I would tend to assume that openly hostile attitude towards her would not help us in achieving our goal. And whatever my..." - Thosar pauses mid sentence, before quickly shaking his head, and continuing.
"Pardon my lecturing Master Eli. I tend to speak too much sometimes. You are entitled to whatever opinion you have towards Cheliax, and you are smart enough to judge what is the best course of action for yourself. Once again, accept my apology for my haughtiness" - wizard keeps walking, without looking Eli in the eyes.
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As they arrive and after hearing Thosar, Archmoon smiles (a rare occasion) and replies:
"You truly are a master diplomat Thosar, and I can respect that. I find myself with the same concerns as our roguish friend, but I can assure you that no unnecessary harm will come from my bow."
He continues, turning back to his usual serious posture:
"I do not share your respect for laws and costumes, or your loyalty towards human nations, but since we are in service of the Society I see no need for an aggressive behavior. I will not hold back though, if the situation calls."
Moments after banging on the door, a servant in loose casual attire opens the door.. "Greetings, Pathfinders. I will notify my mistress of your arrival. She has been expecting you. Follow me if you would. And please try not to damage anything, as there are rare antiquities in the house that are not easily replaced...or repaired.". He mumbles the last part while looking at Archmoon.
If questioned, the servant remains quiet, only responding when pressed, and then with only a few simple words: “My mistress will answer any questions you have once we reach her quarters.”
Led through well-appointed sitting rooms, ballrooms, and a grand stairway granting a view of an elaborate study, you finally arrive on the third floor of the house.
The servant stops at the door of Zarta’s personal study.
Knocking upon the door...."Mistress, the Pathfinders have finally arrived." The servant opens the darkly stained wooden door.
A large intricate carpet dominates the marble floor in this sitting room. A chaise sits along the north wall and a desk spans the southeast corner, its chair positioned with its back to the southwest corner of the room. Three comfortable chairs are positioned around a small, low circular table.
Sitting in the chair behind the desk, is a tall, sultry woman of regal appearance. Paracountess Zarta Dralneen regards your group with a wry smile, putting away a few papers before standing to address the group.
“Aldor, you are dismissed. Close the door behind you and attend to your other tasks.”She then turns her attention to the group. “It’s always so incredibly adorable when I see a fresh- faced batch of Pathfinders. I mean, look at you scrumptious little teacakes. I could eat each and every one of you up. Well, maybe not you.” Zarta points at Elindriel. “I assume this isn’t a pleasure visit since most of you are terribly overdressed for that manner of occasion, so that must mean you are here for that trinket Valsin has been nagging me about. Seems I can’t get that man around these parts anymore,” she gestures, sliding her hand down her body and widening the gesture to sweep out and across the room as if her home were a secondary thought. “On the good side, he always sends me all the precious new recruits."
As the paracountess talks, a cacophony of booms and crashes sounds from beyond the room’s west door. She pauses at an extended eruption of these noises before continuing with the conversation.
“Many think we in Cheliax serve and worship devils, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, we use the creatures for their power. They serve us and we sculpt their power in our own interests. The world must come to terms with the order of things. People need to know their place and operate accordingly. It is the only way to make order from this world. Too many people stretch too far beyond their station, making waves and eroding the true order.”
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at the comments of people stretching beyond their station Eli straightens up and his face becomes almost pale. His eyes narrow and his fists clinch at his side. If anyone is closely looking it is obvious he is holding his composure by a thread at best.
It is also obvious that these words of the lady have struck a nerve that burrows deep. A nerve that grates upon Eli in some way.
after a few moments Eli seems to gain a little more of himself and just stands there glancing at the west door.
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Elindriel notes Eli's distress, and speaks up. "Paracountess, as much as I'm sure we appreciate your clarification on the wrongful perceptions of your people, we do have other places to be, and I'm sure you have other things to be doing, as well. If you could give us 'that trinket'," she concludes, "we'll be on our way."
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"As my esteemed colleague here noticed..." - here Thosar bows slightly towards Elindriel - "...we are grateful for your clarification in regards to perceptions of your mighty nation. And as much as I would personally be delighted to spend significant amount of time discussing with someone of your stature, we do have to hurry. And as much I regret it, since the talk in the city is that your beauty is matched only by your wit, I must respectfully join my comrades plea to retrieve the mentioned trinket and bring it post haste to Pathfinder Society."
"A servant is greatly misbehaving in there. You’re going to have to deal with it in order to get the trinket.” She goes over to the desk in her study, opening a drawer and drawing out an exquisite silver letter opener shaped like a dagger
“You might need this to get it to submit,” she offers with a sly grin.
The “trinket” Ambrus Valsin sent you to retrieve is a seven-lock iron case. Oh, and I strongly advise not trying to tamper with the case when bringing it back to the Grand Lodge. It would be a pity to have something unpleasant happen to any of you now that we have met. Good luck."
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Dahr having stayed silent all this time, extend his hand to grab the silver letter opener and says puzzled: "What kind of servant my lady? And just to clarify... when you say submit implies you want the servant alive, correct?"
With that said, Dahr waits dagger in one hand and trident in the other hand just in front of the door waiting for the Paracountess to answer before storming in.