Melani tries to calm the man while listening to his story.
Odmer turns around and fetches a battered book and handles it to you. It contains many transactions, written in a quite poor handwrite. This book contains just his selling notations, being impossible for you to determine the quantity he has in stock. "I don't understand why you need to check my books! The thief is running free and each moment you waste here decreases my chance of getting my wares back!"
To Pava he looks with incredulity, "You wish to reconcile my WHOLE inventory? Are you nuts? I have dozens of products here and in my home... it will take hours to do this! I'm the victim here!"
Pava returns Odmer's look of incredulity. "Yes, how else would we determine the merit of your claim? We live in a lawful society; there are rules. If we simply took everyone at their word without evidence, how would we ever know the truth of things?"
She looks to Ahreni before continuing, knowing the woman has a bomb to drop.
"I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but as you're making demands for reparations from the Archbaron for your loss, we simply must see this through correctly. I just don't see any other way."
She holds the book open so that Odmer can see as she runs her finger down a page. "Your handwriting is atrocious. Let's say I wanted to find, oh, oil of taggit. In your shorthand, what would that look like here?"
Vicenzo peered over Pava's shoulder, glad that she took it upon herself to deal with Mr. Odmer.
He continued to inspect the wagon for evidence and asked, "Mr. Odmen, how do you secure your goods at night? Is there someone that stays to watch them? It seems to me that your security of your goods is not as good as it could be. Is the wagon locked? When do you close shop so to speak?"
He scoffed, "I'm sorry to inconvenience you but we need information to help try and recover your goods?"
-----------
, meh
"While my companions consult your inventory, perhaps we could establish the pertinent facts again Mr Odmer." Ahreni suggests, a kind smile on her face. "You locked your wagon up. here, last night. This morning when you opened up, you found that you were missing items to the value of 800 sails and decided to demand compensation from the representatives of the Archbaron in their capacity of enforcers of order?"
Assuming the Odmer confirms this, Ahreni's smile begins to grow rather sharp. "You clearly have an appreciation of the law Mr Odmer. Please tell me, what is the appropriate punishment for fraud and lying to officers of the law? False testimony for personal profit is a considerable offence I would have though." She turns over her shoulder. "Lady Starsmite, as a representative of the church I am sure you will be familiar with the appropriate penalties. What would you suggest for a man attempting to defraud the government of nearly 1000 sails?"
She turns back to Odmer and leans in close, all pretense of friendliness dropped. "Mr Odmer, I found the goods. You have been caught lying to officers of the law for your own profit. This can only be described as a serious crime. I suspect that we would entirely justified if we confiscated all your goods and fined you the amount you attempted to extort into the bargain. Thankfully, it need not come to this. I can persuade my companions to look the other way if you will offer me your full co-operation. I want information, who you see in the square, when you see them, who buys from you and what they buy. Do this to my satisfaction and this little unpleasantness can stay between us and the written report I will be forced to write can stay under lock and key." Ahreni leans back, smile back in place. "Consider it a business agreement. I will happily pay a retainer as part of our arrangement. Perhaps as a gesture of good faith you could tell us, has anyone purchased Oil of Taggit from you recently, particularly anyone who works at the Drunken Huntsman?"
Odmer was getting ready to rebuff and answer to Pava's and Vicenzo's questions but Ahreni's statement robs him of his breath and color. The tanned man turns pale white and starts to stutter, fearing what will come to pass now that he had been caught in his bluff. "I...I... yes, p...please, I'll t...take the deal. Oil of Taggit, hum, yes... I have sold it to Janiss Lintoni... she lives on Stanton Street, the small house side by side with the cobbler..."
He then looks hopefully at Ahreni, waiting for her to let him go.
Ahreni is all smiles again once Odmer accepts the deal. "Thank you very much Mr Odmer, it is a pleasure doing business with such sensible citizens as yourself. I will come by soon to pick up any information and we will arrange for the retainer too. Have a pleasant day!" With that she turns and walks away, making a small gesture to the others to accompany her.
Once they are out of earshot Ahreni turns to the rest of the group. "Well, I think that worked out nicely didn't it? We have a new contact and some information. Shall we all go to see Miss Lintoni or just a few? I need to write up a report of this so that we have our leverage if its needed, but I don't want to stop people getting their answers."
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Anarxos looks bemused by the whole scene unfolding. He beams a smile at Ahreni. "Impressive. We may yet learn something of use in this hell hole. I'll help you with the report, and testify to give it more credence."
"Yes, I think finding Miss Lintoni is paramount to our current predicament. Lead the way, I'm coming along. She has a lot to answer for."
The witch was disgusted with being lied to, a large gob of... something exited his mouth violently.
He made a signal to Mr. Odmer that he would be watching him and could barely hide his contempt for the man.
After leaving the scene, on their way to finding this Miss Lintoni, he commented, "Why are we not processing Mr. Odmer as the law demands? Are we so wise now that we can pick and chose what laws apply to whom?"
-------------
Melani looks quite sternly at Odmer. You have gotten off quite lightly Mr. Odmer. I recommend you count your blessings and make a donation to the church of Asmodeus. I was about to suggest a confiscation of the disputed goods and a week in the pillory. You shall at least tell me what these goods are.
Ahreni responds to Vicenzo as they walk. "It's not so much a matter of not applying the law but choosing the punishment. As we've all experienced, enforcing the law rigidly can lead to unfortunate consequences and much hassle for everyone involved. In this case, rather than stirring up more civil unrest with our 'arbitrary actions' we have instead defused a situation, prevented any civil unrest and made ourselves a useful contact into the bargain. If enough people in the town will support us then keeping the law in the grander scheme becomes much easier. For that I say its worth applying the law creatively in smaller situations."
Pava's face brightens as Vicenzo starts questioning this light treatment of Odmer. She can be seen nodding as she looks to Ahreni as the rogue starts to explain her thinking.
Pava's brow furrows and the smile slips off her face. I see the advantage, and yes, it's useful.... she thinks as her eyes drift to the ground. She looks up again, clearly not happy, but... comfortable? More like resigned. "Something has to give. Imprisoning people left and right is never going to work. Look what happened with Caggan; I guarantee we haven't seen the last of that. Maybe this is... I don't know... more efficient?"
Before you leave for the direction Odmer pointed you, the man shows Melani his secret stash. There are numerous vials of different colors and shapes, from known alchemical weapons, remedies, and even some dubious snake oils.
________________________________
You are able to easily find the street and house that Odmer mentioned. It is indeed a small house, probably possessing a single room. Its door and window are closed and no one answers after you knock. There is no sound coming from within as far as you can tell.
Pava looks up and down the street, trying to see how many people are around.
She stands broadly with her back to the door so as to provide cover from prying eyes. "Ahreni, can you open this?"
She stands broadly with her back to the door so as to provide cover from prying eyes. "Ahreni, can you open this?"
"Honestly - no." Ahreni replies. "My skills are more in the nature of sweet-talking. Damian was a farmer, we never had any cause to go around picking locks! I could try the window, but otherwise I'll put one of my informants to watch the place and we can come back later."
Vicenzo looks at Pava, "listen, you look strong enough. I say we break this door down. We are looking for a murderer here."
The witch stands back and looks for anyone or anything suspicious.
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Pava shrugs. "As good a plan as any."
She takes a step or two back to get some momentum, mutters a prayer to Hell's devils, then heaves her shoulder into the door.
Pava shoulders the door and the simple wooden door opens to her strength, revealing indeed a single room house. Nobody is inside and you can clearly see that the place was evacuated in a hurry, probably in the same night you brought Caggan in custody. Not much was left behind in terms of personal possessions but it is easy to ascertain that a woman and a children, probably a toddler, lived in this house.
Pava stumbles through the door, spilling into the one-room hovel. It takes only a moment to confirm what she already expected: Miss Lintoni was gone.
This place is a dump. How could she even afford to buy that poison; with a small child to care for, that must have been a huge expense.
"What are the chances that she's still in town? We can ask at the gates if anyone with her description, with a small child, left town yesterday."
Pava turns around in the room, frustrated. Seeing a small chair lying on its side, she kicks it across the room, where one of the legs breaks when it crashes into the wall. "We could have had her too; I saw her shush Caggan. This is my fault."
"Ahreni, if we find that she hasn't actually fled town, do you think the network you've been building with Cimri could find her?"
"Ahreni, if we find that she hasn't actually fled town, do you think the network you've been building with Cimri could find her?"
"I can try. Everyone knows everyone else in this town, if she's here and not being protected we'll find her." Seeing that there is little else to do in the house Ahreni proposes returning to the Jail, where she has a report to write before setting word amongst her contacts.
Vicenzo added, "perhaps you can look for her as your alias. Maybe get the rumor out that she's being hunted by the law and that you can help her."
The witch then said, "I'm going to go visit the other man in town who sells poison to see what he knows about this. Anyone want to come along?"
"I'm going to go question the gate guards about Miss Lintoni and her child; see if they've left town or not. Anyone is welcome to join me; I'll return to the jailhouse after."
Pava walks with purpose; despite her frustration she holds her head high. She keeps a keen eye on her surroundings and makes eye contact or nods her head at everyone she sees as she passes them by.
She doesn't offer a smile to anyone, but only for fear it wouldn't be returned. She'd be grateful for any sign that her hometown was glad to have her back, and would return any smile in a heartbeat.
Ahreni returns to the jail, , to write up her report. Once it is written and signed appropriately she stashes it in the evidence lock-up before beginning her transformation into Anya.
Some time later Anya slips out the jail, having waited for a moment when no-one was around to notice and heads towards Caggan's tavern. Once there she takes a seat and begins chatting politely with other patrons, fishing for the local news.
Ahreni arrives at the Last Stand and finds it closed, probably thanks to its proprietor being 'arrested and sent to Ramesiana'. In front of it, however, there are a couple unhappy patrons, bickering about "the thugs how arrested Caggan" and how now the only tavern is the "s@@*ty larch and its watered down wines".
About miss Lintoni or her child, you hear nothing about.
Noticing you, both bow slightly before addressing you, "Good morning ma'ams... how may we help you this day?" One of the guards is pretty young, and Pava kind of recognizes him as one of her friends when she was a child, while the other is a seasoned man, probably a retired soldier or mercenary.
You walk just over half a mile until you reach the rickety grey dock just out into the Whisper River. From a shack with a block-and-tackle crane at the dock's far end, Mr. Ingoe oversees a small cargo vessel being unloaded. Noticing you, the waves at you before walking in your direction, using a piece of cloth to clean his forehead of sweat, "Mr. Vicenzo! What an honor for me to see you visiting my dock! How may I help you today?"
Pava puts a smile on her face when she recognizes the younger guard.
"Hi! I'm sorry, I was away from Longacre for too long; I've forgotten your name. Do you remember me, Pava? I remember playing street games with you and the other children; it seems so long ago, but it's really not that long at all. I think you were always the best at 'Devil May Care,' weren't you?" She addresses the younger guard almost exclusively, but makes eye contact with the other guard to ensure he doesn't feel that Pava is ignoring him.
"It's good to see you again, after all these years, <<Insert Name>>." Pava laughs, and indicates her sash with a motion of her hand. "I see we've both found positions in government!"
She steps in a little closer to shake a hand, clap the man's shoulder, or give a hug; whichever she feel is appropriate based on his response and body language.
Now clearly addressing both guards, Pava gets to the point. "Well, we are here on official business. Miss Starsmite and I are investigating a missing person, possibly in connection to a crime. Janiss Lintoni and her small child are missing. She's about yay tall," Pava rests her hand in the air at the woman's height, "and would have been travelling with a small child. Did she leave by this gate in the last couple of days?"
Vicenzo smiled back; he didn't like Mr. Ingoe but he tried not to let that show.
"Actually, I was hoping you could help. I'm sure you are aware that someone tried to kill us recently. We sent Caggan away as a prime suspect for his day in court but we know that he was working with one of his barmaids, one Janiss Lintoni."
He then asked, "Have you seen her recently or has anyone been sold oil of taggit?"
He frowns slightly when she changes subject, taking a couple seconds to remember, "Hum... I've not seen Ol' Jan in a couple days..." Walton is suddenly interrupted by the older one, "She is not asking about Ol' Jan ya orc-head... she is talking about Janiss, the one who worked at the tavern. Ol' Jan don't have a small kid... her grandsons are already pretty grown up..."
"Hu... ya, I think you are right, Corbb... yeah, I remember Janiss Lintoni leaving yesterday... I believe she left a couple hours before Caggan was taken to Ramesiana... she left with a merchant wagon and said she was going to visit her aunt in Ramesiana..." He then looks with uncertainty, "Did we do something wrong?"
He then steps back once more before continuing, "Oil of taggit, hum? No, I've not sold it to anyone... In fact, I have no such a thing..." He winks to you and soon smiles once more while caressing his thin moustache.
Vicenzo thanked Mr. Ingoe's information gathering services and even left him an extra silver for his troubles.
He then made it back to the jailhouse where he waited for everyone to join up.
"Well, I have some interesting information but not enough. Mr. Ingoe has not sold any oil of taggit lately. Or ever, he said, because he doesn't have any. Of course we don't believe him but I trust that he hadn't sold any recently."
He continued, "So that was a dead end. However, he said that Jannis had an affair with Caggan and that her boy is Caggan's. I wonder if he passed on his curse to the boy. can that thing happen?"
He cleared his throat of thick phlegm and asked, "So what did you all find out?"
"Nothing helpful - although people aren't happy about the tavern closing down. I'm beginning to think that if I want to keep up Anya's role as a business woman I need to have a talk Razelgo and the notary about reopening the tavern in her name. The customers would come back quickly I think and that way we have an automatic ear onto society, besides a potential extra source of income. What do people think about this?"
"I think Miss Lintoni leaving is probably best for all concerned. It gets her out of the way and it'll take her far too long to get to Ramesiana, search it thoroughly and come back here to make trouble. I'd hope we've seen the last of her frankly."
"No, Walton, you did nothing wrong. Keep up the good work."
She looks to them both to ask a final question. "Ol' Jan, was that Janiss' mother? Or is the name just coincidence?"
After getting her answer, Pava waits to see if Melani has questions of her own. If not, she thanks both guards and heads back to the jail with Melani.
Pava shares what she learned about Miss Lintoni, but seems more concerned about her affair with Caggan than the others appear to be. "If she's heading to Ramesiana, it wouldn't take long to figure out that Caggan never arrived. This may not trouble us now, but when she figures that out, it could trouble us in the long
run if she returns."
When Ahreni brings up the idea of re-opening Caggan's pub under Anya's oversight, Pava seems excited. "I think that could help the mood of the town greatly, as long as we can keep the food quality up. Nobody likes the Arch and Lark much. Anya will have to get the word out to get as much of the original staff back as possible, and it will be great to have such a good 'ear to the ground.'"
When Ahreni brings up the idea of re-opening Caggan's pub under Anya's oversight, Pava seems excited. "I think that could help the mood of the town greatly, as long as we can keep the food quality up. Nobody likes the Arch and Lark much. Anya will have to get the word out to get as much of the original staff back as possible, and it will be great to have such a good 'ear to the ground.'"
Vicenzo nodded, "I'm not sure I can help much but I do agree that it would help town morale."
The witch added, "With regards to Caggan, perhaps we can start the rumor that he's not going to Ramesiana but actually went some place else. That should give us more time to come up with a permanent solution."
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The witch added, "With regards to Caggan, perhaps we can start the rumor that he's not going to Ramesiana but actually went some place else. That should give us more time to come up with a permanent solution."
Pava sits thinking, then slowly raises her head. "That hobgoblin, wasn't he on his way to Ramasiana? I know we settled on not hiring him, but how about if we hire him for one job. He overtakes Janiss, makes sure she never makes it to Ramasiana."
She looks around at the group. "We don't have to try to spread a new rumor to cover the old one," she looks at Vicenzo in particular, "and the b&+@$ that tried to poison us is never seen again."
"Is he still in town? Shall we try to hire him for a side job?"
-------
Given the rest of the groups blessing, and the fact that she is already in costume, Ahreni slips out to speak to the local notary after having Melani and Anarxos put their names on a short letter of permission.
Mel would use any down time to gather information about her personal quests about her old lover, her mother and a certain fire wizard that might or might not be around.
Cimri nods at Pava's question, "As far as I remember, he would spend the night at the Arch and Lark and then resume his way tomorrow morning... if we decide to take his offer, we should probably do so tonight." She then awaits for your directions, uncertain if she should go for the hobgoblin or not.
"On the other hand, nothing is prohibiting you from simply open its doors and run it. I don't know, but perhaps he has an agreement with his employees to run the place in his absence and perhaps you could talk to them and convince them in a way you all work together... I stress the importance of an agreement between you and them because in the probable event of not having a written contract, their word would weight more than yours, and I'd have no choice to make you leave the place... of course you are currently the law, so I'm not sure who to properly handle the situation in such a grievous event."
Cimri nods at Pava's question, "As far as I remember, he would spend the night at the Arch and Lark and then resume his way tomorrow morning... if we decide to take his offer, we should probably do so tonight." She then awaits for your directions, uncertain if she should go for the hobgoblin or not.
Vicenzo nodded, "That's a very good idea. we can task the hobgoblin to bring her back for questioning because she is a prime suspect in an attempted murder investigation. No need to kill her though."
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"Thank you Mr Notary, you have been most helpful." 'Anya' replies with a curtsey. "I will speak to the staff as soon as possible. May I ask what will happen to Caggan's property when he is charged? If it reverts to the state I would be willing to purchase the premises for a suitable fee."
Leaving the notary with that thought 'Anya' leaves and starts asking around town to find Caggan's employees. When she does she introduces herself as a business woman who has recently moved into town, she mentions her ongoing dealings with Doctor Rohalendi, and describes how she would like to finance the reopening of the tavern 'until Master Caggan is released.'
Melani concurs with the idea to send the Hobgoblin after Janiss. It would be convenient if she were apprehended and made to confess openly so that it clearly showed her guild and her bosses complacency at the least. The offer of payment will have to be enough to entice our hobgoblin friend to come back to town after overtaking the woman and her child. Perhaps this kind of work will interest him.
Thinking about all that needs to be done she adds We need to check back with the good doctor to see about her decision. Is that today or do I have my days off? I also I have an, well an errand that I need to see to soon that will see me away for most of a day. I guess I could use some help with this errand even though its of a personal nature.
Vicenzo nodded, "That's a very good idea. we can task the hobgoblin to bring her back for questioning because she is a prime suspect in an attempted murder investigation. No need to kill her though."
Pava's face scrunches with concern. "Do we really need her for questioning? I think it's quite clear that she poisoned our food. She bought the poison, she freaked out when Caggan tried to stop us from leaving with the evidence, and then she ran. Caggan had no idea; this was all her."
"I'd rather just have her killed on the road. If she's never seen, there's nothing to question. If we bring her back and then she's never seen, then people wonder what we did with her."
"Besides, the hobgoblin is on his way to the Duke. If he takes care of her on the way down, he can then continue on his way to Ramesiana; we're just hiring him for a little side job. If he has to escort her back, now we have to pay him for all that extra travel and time away from the Duke, who is his rightful employer."
"She tried to poison us, Vicenzo. Let's just be done with it."
Cimri was correct in her assessment and Zaggar was indeed at the Arch. He thinks about your propositions, weighting the two offers. "I have to go to Ramesiana anyway so adding a couple coins to my purse will be a pleasure... the girl's idea is easier and cheaper for ya, though... I'd just have to kill the b!!#+ and her cub and soon I'd be on my way back to the Duke. I say 20 pieces of gold for the job."
He then ponders a bit before continuing, "To bring her back, it would take me roughly 10 days to fetch her I guess, which would be 4 pieces of gold a day since I'd be delaying the Duke's work, and more 10 pieces for the job... I'd prefer to simply kill her and ditch her on the woods, but you are the ones paying."
It takes 'Ania' the rest of the day to gather Caggan's employees and make her business proposition. In the beginning, they aren't really happy about the offer, saying that it was too soon to open it up again, but 'Ania's' honeyed words reminded them that opening the Last Stand once more would show the people that Caggan's determination and spirit had not left Longacre. In the end, they agreed to open it up on the following day.
********************************
A new day arises, once more with a clear sky. On your usual way from the Ash House to Longacre, you notice something really weird... the Castle Gate is opened! No one guards its towers, and only a daring soul or two have passed through, but by the archbaron's decree, the gate should be closed...
Cimri was correct in her assessment and Zaggar was indeed at the Arch. He thinks about your propositions, weighting the two offers. "I have to go to Ramesiana anyway so adding a couple coins to my purse will be a pleasure... the girl's idea is easier and cheaper for ya, though... I'd just have to kill the b*@+~ and her cub and soon I'd be on my way back to the Duke. I say 20 pieces of gold for the job."
He then ponders a bit before continuing, "To bring her back, it would take me roughly 10 days to fetch her I guess, which would be 4 pieces of gold a day since I'd be delaying the Duke's work, and more 10 pieces for the job... I'd prefer to simply kill her and ditch her on the woods, but you are the ones paying."
Vicenzo took the obvious hint from Pava and said, "Fine. Kill her. It will be cleaner. See if you can spare the 'cub'; he's done nothing wrong."
He then rationalized his decision by thinking how many breaks he had gotten when he was young. He shrugged, "Yeah, kill her. She shouldn't have done what she tried to do."
A new day arises, once more with a clear sky. On your usual way from the Ash House to Longacre, you notice something really weird... the Castle Gate is opened! No one guards its towers, and only a daring soul or two have passed through, but by the archbaron's decree, the gate should be closed...
The witch quickly became alert at the sight of the open gate. He looked to see where the guards were and approached the gate with the full intent of closing them.
He asked the others to keep their eyes open, "I don't like this. Something is up. Watch my back."
Anya shows every sign of delight when the staff agree and promises to visit every day or so in order to check the books and so forth.
A new day arises, once more with a clear sky. On your usual way from the Ash House to Longacre, you notice something really weird... the Castle Gate is opened! No one guards its towers, and only a daring soul or two have passed through, but by the archbaron's decree, the gate should be closed...
Ahreni studies the gate curiously. "That's strange. Somehow I never pegged the old couple as being rebellious like this - they're ex-military, they should be at least vaguely patriotic and this is just silly. Has anyone ever actually been inside the towers? Could there be someone hiding up there?
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"I agree, she needs to be removed on a permanent basis. Kill her."
Anarxos 's first instinct us to reach for his rapier and unsheath it. "We need to investigate this at once. Let's see if the couple are inside. Papa, will you lead the way? I got your back."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Pava portions out two stacks of gold, each 10 high, and leaving them in front of her, she addresses Zaggar. "For the girl."
She slowly counts out one more stack of 10 coins. She pushes it forward to join the other stack. Looking at the hobgoblin again. "Take the babe to a church or orphanage, and the third stack is yours too. An orphan's life isn't much, but it's a life. It was good enough for me."
When Zaggar reaches to take the coins, she briefly holds her hand in front. "Agreed?" She removes her hand when the hobgoblin gives his verbal assent.
"This was that couple's gate? You think they just abandoned their post?"
Pava investigates the gate itself, looking for any signs of tampering.
She then follows Anarxos' suggestion, and leads the way into gatehouse with sword drawn.
They didn't seem like the type to just leave. Ahreni responds, before slipping through the door after Pava.
Zaggar smiles when the negotiations are finally settled. He also agrees with Pava's demands. "If you, wish, fine... it is a waste of coin in my opinion but it is your gold, and it will go to my pocket, so I'm completely fin with it... there are a couple orphanages in Ramesiana." When everything is settled, Zaggar leaves you to his room, where he intends to sleep early so he can start to track the missing woman.
Neither of you find no sign of tampering with the gate... it is simply open. You then move to the gate's stone tower, finding a rickety wooden door. It doesn't have a lock, but several crates have been stacked against the door on the inside as a crude barricade.
The room inside the tower's base is drafty. The interior of the tower is completely open between the stone and flat wooden roof 20 feet overhead, interrupted only by supporting crossbeams and a well-used ladder that ends at an open hatch leading to the second floor.
The pulley system controlling the gate is situated on the southern wall, but the ropes have been cut, making the mechanism useless (you can still close the gate manually, though).
"Well this is strange. Someone's clearly cut the ropes so that the gate can't be closed as easily... but why? What purpose does it serve?" Ahreni muses aloud, seeing nothing of import in the room.
"Should we check up the ladder? See if anyone is hiding out upstairs?"