Petronicus doesn't catch the wizard's eye as he moves alongside him, steadily keeping his gaze forward and on their prisoner. He speaks to Um'bala in a low voice, not wishing to be overheard by the others. "The fiend disrespected me, Um'bala, and needed to be put in his place. His kind are a blight upon our world, the result of humans fornicating with vile demons. I understand that this is not Mach's fault, but rather that of his forebearers, but he needs to understand that a human cannot be talked to in this way. How would you feel if someone referred to Old Man Jatembe as "simply a hedge wizard"? We both come from a long line of noble people who pulled this world out of the chaos of the Age of Darkness. His kind want nothing but the very dissolution of society itself."
|
Um'bala chuckles at Petronicus' words. "We're all far descended from those legends that rebuilt the world from Earthfall's ashes. Jatembe's blood may run through my veins, but it would be so diluted now as to be indistinguishable from another man's. And while you may be a child of Aroden's line, your beliefs are borne more from recent history than those of the dead god's. I'll be the first to admit that our plane-kissed members unnerve me, but that doesn't mean that you should treat them like a Taldan noble would treat a servant who dropped a bottle of expensive wine. They're Pathfinders, the same as you or I. We belong to a more egalitarian organization, and while you don't have to like them, we do need to be able to work together and trust each other in the field, at least until the end of this assignment.
"And as for the Old Mage," he says at last. "That's a disagreement this hypothetical person would have to take up with Jatembe himself." The wizard's face is deadpan as he says this last remark.
Krupt sighs heavily and nods. "You are right, of course, Um'bala. We are on the same side. I will attempt to keep my personal feelings in check for the greater good. That is also a very Chelaxian sentiment." He then winks surreptitiously at the wizard.
Mach rubs his shoulder and tries in vain to stifle a yawn.
"So, Quint, Nimt, any of you plan on doing some shopping tomorrow?" He asks, breaking the silence.
Mach turns to Nimt as she speaks. "Really? What'd you have in mind?"
Petronicus sings a happy Chelaxian tune as they walk through Magnimar. His voice is terrible, but he sure seems to like this song:
"Here comes the woman♪♫♪♫
♪♫♪♫ With the look in her eye
Raised on leather♪♫♪♫
♪♫♪♫ With flesh on her mind
Words as weapons sharper than knives♪♫♪♫
♪♫♪♫ Makes you wonder how the other half die
Other half die ... ♪♫♪♫ "
Krupt continues to the second verse and the chorus his happy, little Chelish tune, breaking into whistling afterwards.
"♪♫♪♫ Here come the man
With the look in his eye ♪♫♪♫
♪♫♪♫ Fed on nothing
But full of pride ♪♫♪♫
♪♫♪♫ Look at them go
Look at them kick ♪♫♪♫
♪♫♪♫ Makes you wonder how the other half live
♪♫♪♫ The devil inside ♪♫♪♫
♪♫♪♫ The devil inside ♪♫♪♫
♪♫♪♫ Every single one of us the devil inside ♪♫♪♫ "
Mach cringes at the sound of Petronicus' off-key singing, but says nothing, still waiting for Nimt to say what she's planning on shopping for.
Not sure who he's singing about, but whoever it is would probably ask him to stop. Perhaps with a knee in the balls. If nothing else, it'd correct his pitch.
After sometime you make your way to the Avensoar. The place is busy people coming and going, both civilians and guards. You get a few odd looks but no one addresses you. The two guards at the front door seem too occupied chatting to notice you. Your capture doesn't put up a fight, although after the long walk he almost seems ready to be turned over.
The Arvensoar.
Mach bites his lip as he crosses the threshold with the party. He hadn't been here in decades... hopefully nobody here knows who he is. This place doesn't bring back pleasant memories.
Dodging shivs, stealing food from less alert inmates, and eventually being released back into society. I wonder how long he'll last in here.
Nevertheless, he stands tall. "Come on, let's find someone in charge to turn our man over to." He says before walking off to do just that.
Petronicus briskly walks up to the two guars, still holding the shackled sorcerer and barks out "Hey, you, guardsmen, where do I find the sergeant of the watch? I have a bounty to collect here!"
Mach steps next to Petronicus. "Gentlemen, we're here to deliver this man into your custody." He moves Plutivarch to stand before them. "Would you be so kind as to direct us to where we can do so?"
The guard squints at you, not swayed by your words. "Hand 'im over to me then. I'll see that he gets put away, who ever he is."
It's safe to say Mach has no idea if the guard is telling the truth or not.
That doesn't stop him from trying to get past him. Well, if he won't let us in if we ask nicely...
"That might not be wise, gentlemen. This man--" He indicates Plutivarch. "--is known to be incredibly dangerous, perhaps even enough to overwhelm trained professionals like yourselves. It would be in everyone's best interest if you directed us to the person in charge here so we can ensure he doesn't try anything funny." He gives them a smile. "If you'd like, we'd appreciate it if you could escort us to your superior here."
The two guards look at one another then one shrugs and motions for you to follow him. He leads you through the halls passing by citizens and guards as you make your way. Eventually he stops at a door and knocks. Waiting for a reply the door eventually opens and a woman in guards wear, obviously of higher rank steps out. The guard promptly explains "This lot has a dangerous criminal and requested to speak with someone in charge, I've brought them straight to you."
The woman nods as the guard walks off. After getting a look at your prisoner she grins and waves you in "A good catch I see. I am Kasadei, come in. Sorry there aren't enough chairs for you all."
Without waiting for a reply she beings to walk back into the office. Inside is a small office with a reasonablly nice table and chair, facing the door, and another 3 chairs facing the table. She motions for anyone who would like to sit while she takes a seat in her chair, waiting for you to speak.
"Thank you, gentlemen." Mach gives the guard a nod as he leaves. No sense grumbling at him; odds are, he was just doing his job.
He turns to Kasadei, bringing Plutivarch with him into the room. He opts to remain standing, not out of disrespect, but of habit.
"Thank you for your time, ma'am. We were ambushed by this man and nearly sold into slavery at his hands. I heard you have a bounty out on him: apparently, he's quite the troublemaker." Mach pats Plutivarch on the shoulder before looking to Kasadei again.
"May I inquire as to how much he's worth?"
"Yes, dear old Plutivarch. I've been waiting for some time to put you away." she opens a drawer in her desk, shuffles through it for a moment then pulls out a coin purse and tosses it on the table. "100 gold is the reward. The city guard thank you for your aid in apprehending a wanted criminal."
Mach hands Plutivarch off to Kasadei's custody.
A thought pops to mind. It's a long shot, but he may as well take it: all their other leads came up dry.
"Miss Kasadei, if it would not be too much trouble, I have a question to ask: we're searching for a Natalya Vancaskerkin, and we've learned she recently ran with the Tower Girls. Do you, perhaps, know of a way we can get in touch with them?"
Part of him immediately regrets opening his mouth, but he doesn't let it show.
She takes Plutivarch and after you ask the question she nods "One moment." She leads Plutivarch out of the room and you can hear her talking to one of the ot her guards. She comes back moments later, alone.
After returning to her seat she goes to your question "Natalya Vancaskerkin is known to the city watch. Though, that she has vanished is news to the watch — she hasn’t been picked up by any patrols, in any event. I'm not surprised that Natalya’s disappearance hasn’t been reported though — the Sczarni tend to try to solve their own problems. If anyone knows more, it’s probably the Tower Girls."
"As for the Tower Girls, tracking down any of the Sczarni gangs is tricky normally, but as far as I know, the Tower Girls themselves have recently changed their headquarters. No informants have yet been able to update the city watch as to their new headquarters, but I do know that a few months back, the Tower Girls had a falling out with another Sczarni gang, the Wreckwash Blades. For several weeks after that, rumor was that the Tower Girls were slumming it in an abandoned warehouse in Underbridge that they shared with a disreputable local by the name of Fenster the Blight — he may know where the Tower Girls or perhaps Natalya are located now."
Something nags at Mach, telling him something's up with Kasadei. It could just be his gut overreacting, though... he pointedly glances between Kasadei & Nimt.
Nimt's suggestion catches his ear. "We could do that, certainly."
Quintus stays quiet thinking about how Plutivarch seems to keep getting out of the guards grasp.
Shr turns to Nimt "Well the best place to start is in Underbridge as I mentioned. I can even get you a map of the warehouse we have heard the Tower Girls might be staying in."
"Well, it seems it's off to Underbridge then. Thanks for taking this garbage off our hand, Kasadei."
Mach listens to Nimt with interest.
"So, there's at least one person on the watch who's concerned about Natalya vanishing. Do you think we should've asked her for more?" He ponders.
At Um'bala's question, Mach shrugs. "We could try heading there now, if you want." He glances over at Petronicus before handing his glaive back to him.
"I, on the other hand, was hoping to at least get some shopping done before we go much further. And don't we also have loot to divvy up?"
Petronicus nods at Mach's comment. "The tiefling is correct. I could use a bit of a freshen-up. Why don't we meet in two hours time at the Old Fang, it's a bar in the Dockway district right on the border to Underbridge. Is that enough time for everyone to finish their business?"
Mach blinks and yawns. "I suppose that'll work. On the other hand, I don't know if there'll be a lot of shops open at this time of night..."
Krupt glares at Mach, "Fine, then let us meet back at the lodge tomorrow morning."
Mach turns and leaves the Arvensoar to find a decent inn for the night, pausing at the entrance to see if anyone else is so inclined to follow him.
Mach is happy to walk with Nimt back to the Pathfinder lodge, discussing potential sign signals.
"See, that's the thing with the Sczarni: while they normally pass along messages by using a sort of doublespeak, they've also got themselves a sort of sign language for passing messages along."
The conversation gets Mach a bit animated. "Anyone can get a secret message across in conversation. It takes something extra to get one across with your hands. I think we can work something out here."
A pause.
"Well, if you really WANT to, that is.." He clears his throat.
Mach smiles.
"Well, I'd be more than happy to pass along what I know--"
He's cut off by a yawn. "--tomorrow. I'm kinda tired, and I can't talk so well tired."
After taking the night to get some rest and resupply you all feel refreshed and ready to continue your journeys. Meeting up in the morning to decide on the next course of action.
Mach awakens early today, sneaking out with his bulging coin purse to go shopping today. He didn't want to wake anybody up--it was only courteous.
He comes back from his trip, a solid-looking shortbow in his hands and a quiver at his back. His coin purse also seems lighter.
Krupt returns to the lodge, a brand new bandolier slung around his shoulders. He walks over to Mach and briefly gives the tiefling's new bow a once-over. "Not a bad weapon, although a bit primitive, but I guess that's how they make them out here on the frontier."
Mach shrugs. Petronicus was in a pleasant enough mood this morning, it seemed.
"Eh, I've never been one for fancy weapons, ser Krupt. It'll get the job done, I hope."
"As long as you point the pointy end at the enemy. And speaking of pointy ends ..." Krupt trails off as he pulls a whetstone from his backpack and begins sharpening his guisarme.
Mach looks up, noticing Nimt wandering about. He momentarily puts his bow away.
"Morning, Nimt." He waves. "Didn't want to wake anyone up, so I went shopping early."
Not wanting to spoil their opinion of him, Krupt keeps to himself and continues sharpening his guisarme with his whetstone.
Boring conversation anyway, he thinks to himself.
Quintus just shows up and sits next to Krupt.