"Lose? I never lose. Anyways if you don't have a deal for me then I have no use for you."
Mephistophele lands on Quintus's hand and suddenly falls into it. After he is gone only a tattoo is left of the bird on Quintus's hand.
"Apologizes for Mephistophele. He has quite a few problems. Anyways maybe we should just head out to find Krupt and Um'bala now?"
"Yes. Let's." Mach says, having found his voice.
As they turn to leave, Mach leans over to Quintus.
"No offense meant, Quint, but your bird creeps me the f**k out."
"Yes he does have that effect on most people."
Quintus follows hoping that they can find the others soon.
"One or two, but only to help out when it was truly needed."
Mach arches an eyebrow at Nimt's suggestion.
"I could, but I'm not sure what to tell ya."
Shrugging, he focuses on Quintus, his gaze becoming steely...
In Mach's eyes, Quintus glows brightly, a white color tinged with... red?
"His soul... a strong, healthy one, but it bleeds like home. Curious." Mach mumbles, seemingly not aware he's doing it.
His gaze flickers over to Nimt...
She glows even brighter than Quintus. Whites and blues come together to create a spark that causes Mach to squint.
"She has a strong soul... a pretty one, born with the immortal spark of heaven, come to earth for purposes unknown..." He mumbles again.
Quintus seems angry that Mach stared at his soul.
"Oh, hello I'm Quintus, the man who doesn't use any magic on non-threatening people without their permission. Have you two seen my pathfinder friends? They obviously aren't here because nobody would dare to associate with creatures who decide to use magic on others without their permission when that person has done nothing to threaten them. If you happen to see them, tell them that I'm going to find our other companions. Good day to you fiends!"
Quintus storms off looking to find Krupt and Um'bala without the other two now that they have violated his personal space.
That cursed bird was right! There is no trusting anyone but myself!
Mach blinks in confusion. His 'soul-sight' turns off. As Quintus storms off, there's a part of his blood that can't help but snicker in joy.
Ooohh... look too intently at the pretty one and he withers! WITHERS! Can't stand it when people see you for the scared little boy you are, can you? Shut up. You're the reason he ran off crying in the first place.
He sighs and looks over at Nimt. "Great. Come on, let's catch up to him before he gets mugged." He promptly turns and runs off after Quintus.
Mach looks over at Nimt, a mixture of surprise and gratitude on his face.
"...thanks." He says, offering his hand so she can catch up to him more easily.
Quintus glares at the two following him.
"What come to invade my personal space even more?"
Right. Looking at you too intently is a violation of your personal space. Calistria help us all if a woman tries to TOUCH you; you'd be forever defiled by it.
"Actually, Quint, I wanted to apologize." Mach says, stopping short of him.
"I understand that looking into a person's soul is not something that you just do uninvited. I'd argue it's worse than being caught rifling through someone's unmentionables." He holds his hands up, palms outward. "I haven't used it in a long time, and I forgot that." He pointedly shoots a quick glance over at Nimt.
"My 'soul-sight' thing only tells me how close to death you are. No more, no less. Since you're clearly a strong, healthy boy, you didn't need it." His hands return to his sides. "So... yeah. Completely unwarranted, and completely uncalled for. I'm sorry."
Quintus seems more mollified by the explanation than the actual apology, but he also seems to accept that as well.
"That's fine. I had a bigger problem when it seemed like you were scanning me like some sort of paladin, and while I still feel a bit uncomfortable, I can at least understand that you are not using that ability to gain information about others. So I accept your apology and offer one of my own for reacting so churlishly when that is all the fuss was about."
Mach sighs in relief.
"Well, glad we've sorted that out." He says. His blood is screaming at him.
NONONONONO! DON'T APOLOGIZE! HE *FEARS* YOU! MAKE HIM SQUIRM-Ha, ha, ha. Yeah, no.
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Um'bala bows his head to the Lictor and sighs in relief once his back is to the Fortress of the Nail. "My apologies for my reaction back there," he says as the pair work their way to the Arvensoar. "But are you sure it's wise to promise a Thassilonian relic to the Hellknights? I mean, that's the sort of thing we're supposed to be acquiring for the Decemvirate, right?"
Heading to the Avensoar you end up both arriving about the same time. Krupt and Um'bala are just on their way inside as the others approach.
The Arvensoar looms in the southern part of the city, high above the districts of Lowcleft and Naos. The tower itself is about 400 feet tall, with the lower portion built into the side of the Seacleft that splits the city in half. There are many people coming and going both guards and civilians.
Quintus waves to Um'bala and Krupt.
"We found a lead on where she might be. How about you guys?"
On the way to the Arvensoar, Krupt discusses the Hellknight encounter with the Garundi. "The Order of the Nail can be tenacious. Better to have them on our side. And as for promises, a promise is not a signed legal document. What we have is more of an understanding. Who knows, the Hellknights might offer us a better price!"
At their destination, Krupt shrugs at Quintus. "No solid leads I'm afraid."
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Well we did find something out, so let's go before the trail gets cold."
Krupt raises an eyebrow at Valdemar's news, "Oh, is that so? What did you discover?"
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"That slimy swindler Zograthy cost us nineteen gold. We all knew a fortune teller would hurt us financially, but maybe not that much. Do you feel like contributing ? It's your choice.
We have many options ahead of us. Does Mach sneak past the slavers, and see if they have Natalya ? Do we kill the guards ? Free all the slaves on the ship ? Set the ship on fire as an example to all who break the law to commit slavery ?
And what do we do about the Tower Girls, if anything ? Things might get complicated if they are after Natalya too. how do we deal with them ?"
Mach remains quiet throughout the exchange, but has a smirk on his face at the thought of sneaking past slavers.
Admittedly, Nimt suggesting burning the ship causes his eyes to widen.
It also causes his blood to practically jump for joy.
Ooh! A woman after our own heart! Yes... what she says has merit! BURN THEM! BURN THEM ALL!!
...Calistria's whip. That's crazy.
"I protest the setting fire to the ship, that would not only endanger countless innocent lives, but it wouldn't be good on our side either."
"That slimy swindler Zograthy cost us nineteen gold. We all knew a fortune teller would hurt us financially, but maybe not that much. Do you feel like contributing ? It's your choice."
Krupt gives a small shrug, "How you spend your money is up to you. Don't make me pay for your foolish decision to throw three weeks pay away on a fortune teller. That's on you."
Krupt listens to the story about the slavers. "I have no love of slavers, especially not if they're indeed Nidalese. Those dark bastards can't be trusted. So they are supposed to meet at an old bar tonight, is that the scuttlebutt you dug up, Valdemar?"
"Of course we didn't waste any money. We found out information while you learned absolutely nothing. I say that is gold well spent since the payback will be 500 Gold, and 1000 Gold if we bring her back alive. Anyways let's go before we lose the trail."
Quintus seems eager to get back to finding where this lost girl is.
Mach nods, as silent as ever. He turns back to the streets, preparing to return to the Puffy Pelican.
Krupt shrugs at Valdemar's comment. "Since you insist, you can take my contribution to the cause out of my share."
"I'll scout out the Puffy Pelican. That's where Natalya was last seen." Mach says, looking back over his shoulder.
To everyone's surprise, Krupt pipes up as Mach heads away and grabs his polearm. "Hold on a minute, fiendling. I'll come with you. Wouldn't want you to get into more trouble than you can handle."
Mach pauses.
"Very well."
He heads off to the Puffy Pelican, letting the rest of the party do as they will.
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"The Pelican's a much better plan," Um'bala says, finally weighing in on the plan. "After all, though slavery is a terrible practice, the people here haven't outlawed it, so they're breaking no law. In fact, if we set the boat ablaze, not only would we be killing the slaves, we'd have the full weight of the law come down on our heads. And that's assuming the fire doesn't spread." He shakes his head. "No, the Pelican is where we head. Tonight."
Krupt turns to Star as they walk towards the Pelican. "So how do you want to handle this? I'm not much at skulking, but I could stay nearby and come charging in should you require some assistance." It is obvious that the Chelaxian is somewhat nervous to be around tiefling, but you're not exactly sure why that is.
"That sounds like a good idea."
Mach, for the most part, is quiet en route to the Pelican. Considering Petronicus is being (rather oddly, for a Chelish man) civil to him, he says little else, likely so he doesn't ruin it.
Heading back to the Pelican it is well into the afternoon, another five hours at least before nightfall and another five before the rumored midnight pickup.
On the way to the Pelican, Krupt states: "Now I know you lawless types probably have your own tactics, but when I was stalking demon cults in Kintargo with my uncle we always made sure to stake out the suspected location for quite a bit first. That way we can see who goes in and out and what we might face once we go inside."
"That's what I planned to do anyway." Mach says, twirling a dagger idly in his hands as he walks.
"Stake it out, wait for the rest to catch up, then perhaps storm the place?"
The Chelaxian nods, "We are only looking for information on the Vancaskerkin woman, yes? If so, it might be sufficient if we forcefully question one of these Nidalese slavers. We're not being paid to be Andoran abolitionists here, after all."
Walking around the place you don't see anything out of the ordinary — the tavern truly looks abandoned, and bears no signs of having been used recently.
Waiting for some time you don't notice anyone coming or going. You would guess that if the rumors were true, then the slavers likely use different spots and perhaps only once. This might be their next spot or, Zograthy could be right and it could all just be wild rumors.
The sight of the Puffy Pelican in its abandoned state causes Mach to sigh.
"Well, nobody's using it now. Still, can't give up yet. Just need to wait for midnight..."
Krupt nods. "Yes. Good thing we told the others to meet us here at midnight."
After waiting for over an hour, it is obvious that Petronicus is getting bored. "This could be more interesting. Hmm, Perhaps we could visit a local tavern to spice things up a bit. If we were in Cheliax I would be loathe to be seen with a creature such as yourself in a public house, Star, but there is no one here in Magnimar of any note, so I guess it doesn't matter."
"None yet." Mach replies.
When Petronicus starts complaining, Mach snorts. "Then go find one. The Pelican isn't going anywhere."
And I'd rather not go anywhere you're off to. Odds are, you'll piss off the wrong person and I'll get caught in the crossfire.
Without further preamble, Krupt trots off with his guisarme slung over his shoulder in search of alcohol.