Erick retrieves his pistol before leaving the area, and reloads it as they walk through the sewer.
Then he'll try to get the wand to work for anyone who's wounded.
It sputters a couple of times, but then gives out. "I'll try it again tomorrow, once I figure it out, it'll be easier."
When they get to the house, and the fake voice calls out, he grins. "That's ok son, I'm sure your mom's just sick with worry over you." He says out loud, and then motions for the boy to hide to one side. "You go on in, ok?" He says loudly, then motions for the boy again to hide. He looks at his companions to make sure they are with him, then stoops down and opens the door, his gun drawn.
Clyde sighs inwardly Can't anything be simple? He then gets his bow ready.
Great. Just great.
and Henry moves to get concealment from the interior hallway.
Should have grabbed the loot. Oh, well.
Telsyn draws his weapon, and gets ready to cast.
The door opens into a domestic hovel; one converted to a home by the childish chalk-drawings along the walls and roof, the much-loved wicker chair in the corner, the carefully laid down bowl of a family pet. Close inside, two men stand. The first is short and reedy with dark grey skin and strange ears, eating a red apple with a mocking grin below his precisely oiled hair. The second is large and hulking, with hands the size of hams and a small tuft of red hair as precise as the two's well-made suits and leather shoes. "Well" comments the reedy man, "Hello there, Scarvas. It's been a lot of bother, trying to find you." He points a finger at the scared-looking halfling woman half-crouching behind a turn in a room deeper in the home. "We reckoned you'd go straight to ground here at your mother's house in Ostenso after you ran away from your father who looked after you in Westcrown but then the two of you were taken by Bellflowers in a shipment."
He looks up at your group and regards you evenly. "And my guess is you'd be Bellflowers, or unwitting pawns." He bites again into his apple. "My name is Mister thread, and my colleague here is Mister Pinn" the hulking man nods gravely. "And we represent the Aspis Organization in this instance... and we want what the boy stole. A small silver ring, with an eye symbol on it." His expression hardens. "Hand it over."
"Good luck with that, we just got him from a Professor Bonner, third chair of Transmutation with Absalomi, who was using him as an experiment in demon rat summoning. Far as I know, Bonner has everything the kid had on him when he caught him. So if you want a ring, you'll have to get it from that little rat-faced freak. I suspect he'll be using the ring for something, probably blackmail or something to fund his experiments. Anyway, we came here for the halfling woman. I got no beef with you, and you got no beef with me. We're both just doing our jobs, delivering living cargo to people willing to pay for them. Don't care what they do with them afterwards, send them out-country or what. I just do my job, and stay bought." He grins. "Way I see it, I got you outnumbered and out gunned. I'm sure you feel the same way. I think it's best all around if we just go our separate ways. You after Bonner, me to get my pay for the kid and his mom."
Pinn shakes his head; Thread looks thoughtfully at you. "If'n you're telling the truth... we might indeed have no quarrel. Gonna leave 'outnumbered' and 'outgunned' for the moment as I've some firm views in that that I think you'll dispute." He looks grimly at you. "You want us gone? I wanna hear what you just said from the kid. Bring him out."
"If you think a terrified little halfling kid is going to be able to tell a coherent story while you've got his mother cowering in the corner, good luck with it. But I got no issues with him being in the hallway and talking. Again, to the best of my knowledge, Bonner has everything from the kid. Now, I'm going to whisper a description of Bonner to you. Then I'll ask the kid to describe the man who kidnapped him. That's about the best proof I can think of that I'm serious here." He whispers a description of Bonner in great detail, right down to his spell casting mannerisms, and the belt the professor was using to experiment on kids and rats. He speaks just loud enough for Thread to hear, without it carrying into the hallway. WHen he's done, he returns his voice to normal. "Boy, stay in the hallway and tell the man with the strange voice you heard earlier about the strange man who put you in the cage, took your stuff, and everything he told you about what he wanted to do."
Clyde keeps his grip on his bow sure, ready to strike down either man if they become hostile.
"...hmph. Fine. Bring him in."
A smart lad, Scarvas walks in and trying to shoot a reassuring glance at his mother, stammers through a description of Bonner. He tries to keep his manner nervous, so they'll believe what Erick said about the uselessness of getting more out of him.
Threadd sighs, and looks up. "...alright, then. I guess we've no more business together... today, at least." Tossing the half-eaten apple onto the counter, he nods at the hiding woman. "As you do, ma'am." The two casually stride out of the door, before Thread turns. He proffers a thin golden card. "You fellas seem pretty seasoned as operatives go; drop by our HQ, they might have some work for you. If'n you've some moral standards, that's fine; Aspis tries to suit itself to all sorts. Why, just get them started on 'synergy'..." He rolls his eyes, and the two stroll off, unless anyone objects.
Scarvas runs into his mother's relieved embrace.
Erick puts his gun away, and bows with an arm sweeping motion, taking the proferred card when offered. "I'll keep that in mind. Glad we could keep this civil. If for no other reason than avoidance of paperwork." He rolls his eyes. "I hate freaking paperwork, especially paperwork involving my face and a reward for capture for questioning about dead bodies. Very much inconvenient." He grins then. "Of course, lack of paperwork due to being dead is even more inconvenient. Thus my preference for the middle ground where none of us deal with paperwork."
Once they are gone, he nods at the mother. "Pack up things dear to you. You'll be needing to run with the boy, if you want both of you to stay in one piece."
Clyde blows out a relieved breath.
Henry stays hidden, not having a lot of trust for Aspis types.
Telsyn sheathes his sword.
Good work, Erick. You handled that well.
He'll assist the halflings in getting ready to go.
The two jabber at eachother for a little bit in Chelish amid much tearfulness; eventually the mother steps forward towards you as Scarvas starts gathering items and packing travel bags. She wipes her eyes on a well-worn piece of cloth. "I... thank you so much, for saving me from those awful, awful men... and for saving my beloved boy. And... and for saving me? The Network promised to get me out within the month, maybe... Thank you."
In a short hour, the two are safely aboard their ship; wrangling a second berth for the mother is easily enough. Before he leaves, Scarvas pulls you aside, and guiltily confesses "...I didn't take that ring. My dad did; as soon as those Aspis people asked for it in the barn I jumped out the window and ran for it, I knew they'd follow me, leave dad alone..." He looks bashful. "Sorry if I caused a mess..."
The captain of the ship, as ordered by Bator, hands over small bags of gold to each of you upon the boy's safe arrival.
Erick nods at the mother, and the son, and then when they are safely on their way, he sighs. "Ok, so, don't know about you, but I have to go back in the sewers, see if I can find any trace of the other kids. If not, I need to go track down the Bonner, if he's still alive, and beat some answers out of him."
"Yes, you are probably right. If he's still out and about, this won't stop. "
Returning to the sewers, Bonner's lair is found easily enough; or at least, what's left of it. Most of it has been cleared out; the magical reagents, the belt, most of the books.
The rats are gone.
Erick digs out the papers and goes over them. "He was trying to cross-breed devils and demons using human hosts. He probably started with rats, which is where all those demonic rats came from. The belt was a magical item that didn't get crafted correctly and ended up cursed. He was trying to ameliorate the curse." He rubs his chin.
"When we first entered, we had normal rats all going one direction, and demonic rats all going the other. I think we need to track down the other direction they were heading before the rest of the tracks the rats left get washed away. Might find some more clues there. Normal or demonic, all the rats going in the same direction wasn't normal."
You find no notes discussing the 'normal' demonic rats, just a few notes discussing the larger transmuted rats you fought.
Clyde starts checking the floor. They are going through a crack in the roof. Hmm.. Since we're almost at the city wall, they are probably heading out of the city.
"Ok, that's incredibly not good. Listen, I've worked ships and lived on them for years. They always have rats. The only time you see the rats all leaving a ship is when it's sinking. Rats don't leave food and shelter to go into the unknown unless they have one damn good reason."
I dunno about chasing demon rats. I'm rather beat up right now. Maybe after we rest and try stitching up.
"Ok, I'll try to get the wand to work in the morning. Then I think we need to start trying to track down this Bonner. I think our other fellow gardners need to be made aware of him and his desires and preferred test subjects."
Clyde tries stitching and bandaging
So everyone but Clyde gets back 2 HP a level
By this time, the sun is setting; yellow twilight washes over the city. The Bellflowers decide to retire to their inn for a night's rest, bedraggled and tired.
The inn is nearly empty; a few quiet patrons reside in the corner working their way slowly through their tankards.
Polishing a hideous mask on the wall, Micah turns and smiles. "Hey; good to see you. Chicken for dinner if you want it." She frowns, looking over your wounds. "Y'alright?"
"Not bad." He leans in close to Micah. "Need to talk to someone who can make decisions on targeting someone for removal." He says quietly, where Micah can hear. "We found someone who really needs to be taken out."
A most unpleasant fellow, the elf chimes in.
We need to figure out just what that guy was as well.
She winces a little. "...not something I'm usually too involved in; I'll get you an address for Bator. He'll help you get what you need to know."
The night passes fitfully, most busy recovering from their wounds; but soon, dawn comes.
Micah pops in, and hands over a piece of parchment. "...here. Should help ya find Bator. Also, you were looking for things to do? There's a decent tradition of fighting pits in the city; could be worth checking out. Heard some complaining about some winning streaks lasting too long, and too many of the wrong people betting rightly when they come to an end."
On it is written 818 Alterio Street
"Ok, so, Bator first? Then we can go investigate the pits or bounty hunting?" Erick raises an eyebrow with the question.
Yes, Bator first, Telsyn agrees.
Works for me.
"Might as well. "
Following the address, you proceed through the city.
You spot a relatively rare sight; a tiefling. Bedecked in foreign finery, he proceeds through the city with a halfling servant carrying his bags behind him. A few kids appear around the corner and pont; he sighs with exasperation... then confusion as one of the kids pulls out a sheet of parchment, marks it, then runs off. Shrugging, he walks off.
Arriving at the address, you knock and are welcomed into a small domestic residence. A young woman with brown hair busies herself making dinner.
A young elf in black robes with a yellow silk trim sits at the table, nursing a hot mug of something. In the sugar bowl beside him, you notice the bellflower symbol. He nods. "Friends; welcome. My name is Bator."
Morning. Since Erick seems to have proven himself best at being the face of the group, Clyde lets him speak first.
in a whisper to his companions "Have we been played?"
"Sit down, if you like. I can fetch you tea." He smiles a little nervously. "So; normally you'd be seeing Abrosh, but with him not returning until tomorrow, I'll have to do. What, in your words, do you need?"
Erick sees the bellflower dish, and looks at the elf...
Erick takes a seat and nods. He idly draws the bellflower symbol on the table top, not drawing attention to it, but watching to see if the elf responds as they've been told agents will. He'll make small talk about requiring some assistance with an issue.
Once the countersign is made, Erick becomes more direct. "Recently we have investigated some missing children, both halfling and human children. They were kidnapped by a Chair at the academy, by the name of Bonner." He describes Bonner in detail. "He is experimenting with demonic and devilish energies, and using the children. We have 3 human children still missing, we were able to retrieve the halfling, and wound Bonner. We also probably caused him some issues in the meantime with a bounty hunter, but that likely won't last long. Personally, I believe this Bonner is a creature that has no real benefit to the world. We would like two things, for Bonner to no longer be a drain on the world, and to rescue the children he already took, if possible. They may be dead, but we promised to look for them. We don't exactly have the resources ourselves to track down information on this Bonner, and hoped mutual friends might. Additionally, once we find the children, or once we conclude they are beyond saving, then ensuring that more children are not taken would be something I think we could all agree would be a good thing, yes?"
Erick can't get much out of the elf. Bator nods approvingly as Erick makes the symbol.
Bator frowns as he listens to your story. "This... would indeed be a noble cause. Rescuing children, frustrating a fiend. But. I'll give you my help second, but first I hope you'll listen to my counsel." He leans forward a little. "This is an ignoble country; the network does all it can to spirit away innocents to happier lands. It focuses on this near-exclusively. In the name of picking your battles... in the name of recognizing what this network does and does not do... I must advise you to content yourself with having saved the halfling, and pursue him no more." He crosses his arms, visibly disturbed. "This sits no better by me than it does you, I am sure... you could try to rest easy knowing that the land here is as hostile to him as it is to you. Cheliax has no end of scorn for the tiefling, and kidnapping and unlawful magical experimentation- particularly illicit experimentation not backed by any high politician- are high crimes."
He spreads his arms, and tries to smile. "But, counsel aside... I'll give you whatever help I can. I believe I remember a professor by that name arriving in Cheliax nearly a year ago; I'll do my best to discover what led him to descend so low, and find where he has gone."
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Erick grins. "Yeah, I tilt at windmills. However, it never hurts to look into him. First off, once he's gone, due to what he's done, it's unlikely anyone in authority will much care. He can't have friends in high places, or he wouldn't have been living in a sewer, he'd have been doing his experiments in a place of power, with assistants other than giant rats." He ticks off his fingers as he makes his points. "If he's ticked me off, he's ticked off others, and those others might be useful in the future. I've had friends who were evil, but honorable, and they would have enjoyed stripping Bonner of his skin one inch at a time over what he does. More information is always best. We can't save everyone, but we can make sure that everyone knows what this thing does. If everyone knows of him, then he can't trick anyone in the network into helping with his work." He raises an eyebrow. "You know as well as I do that his ilk have no issues pretending to help and then using those they are 'helping' for their own ends."
Putting this guy down or making it so the law will be looking for him and not us sounds like a good plan.
"I don't trust the law here to ever do good, even by accident. Better if we do it with our own hands. "
Good point, Henry. These yokels aren't much for doing the right thing.
Frowning for a moment at Telsyn, Bator turns himself back to Erick. "Fair enough on many counts. I'd just encourage you to remember what Calistria teaches- sting when offended, but never enough to mean you can't live in afterwards."
"I'll get started on tracking him down. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
Looking for a good potion maker. We have been taking a beating and being able to patch ourselves up fast would help.
"Oh; here, take one of mine." Reaching into his robes, he proffers a thin wooden wand. "Devilsblood healing... distasteful by name, but not harmful to the soul, and strongly rejuvenative to the body. I'm sure at least one of you will be able to make use of it."