"Damn the little fairy." say Horillo disappointed that his shots were not true. "Is there anything in the fairy dust that might point the way." Horillo finds a cloth and dips in a dirty water trough and covers his mouth and nose as he sifts through the dust of the expired fey. "Did they have any magic with them, is that something we could track?"
Horillo shakes his head, slouches his shoulders, "Slippery, very slippery! My magics could not revive your limbs quick enough, Nils. I am sorry, I will try and be more prepared if there is a next time. At least we know what they look like and if they return how to defeat them. They would surely have difficulty getting out of a sticky bag. Is there somewhere we can study them, a library? Does anyone know what they were?" he ponders.
Horillo searches through the dust left behind from the fey, but has no luck in finding anything. Even their pliers had rusted and turned to dust on their deaths. It seems there are no clues to follow from their remains.
As you stand in the empty streets of the Devil's Nursery alone pondering your next move, the night slips deeper into the evening. A slight chill washes over you as a gust of wind blows through, carrying the cold night air. The quiet after the fight is a little unnerving, since this part of town doesn't currently have the normal hustle and bustle, even into the evening, you are used to in other parts of town.
Horillo holds up his cloak around him as the chill evening air hits his senses, "It getting late, should we return to Hetamon, let him know the news?" he asks of Nils, Saniel, Sorix and Mawl, "At least the night is not so cold there."
Nils breath shimmers like a small cloud in the chill night air though the cold doesn't seem to touch him.
"Agreed. We've done what we can here tonight. While I've not doubt that last fairy could still cause trouble without it's gang the threat it poses is much less. For tonight at least I think it will reconsider striking back out into the Nursery."
"My friends, I feel great guilt over these murders in my home and how long it took for me to even be aware of them. Our work in this city is important but it pains me to leave my people. A thought occurred to me as we spoke with Zea and Hetamon and I wanted to hear your thoughts on the matter. If what I understand from Sorix is correct, the silver ravens we found can act as messengers. I would like to give one to Zea or Hetamon so they might send word when in need. It would both ease my nerves and allow them to provide us information they might come across. I would not do so without your approval however so what do you think?"
Nils, I for one can agree to that. It is a real threat here and maybe more so than much of the rest of the city. Maybe we should look into one of the other parts of town that had mysterious tragedies. I just know the House of Thrune is ultimately behind all of it and it maddens me. We can't let them control all parts of the city. We must continue to strike back.
From within the darkness of a hood protecting the clrcic from the cold, Horillo nods, "You know the Nursery is my second home, any way we can aid the people there is fine by me NIls."
With the last fey long gone and the night only getting colder, the group decides to head back to Hetamon and give a report of what they have found. The body of the latest murder victim is gone when you get back to the warehouse and Hetamon sits near a fireplace drinking some spirits. As he notices your return he stands up and looks you over "You don't appear to be much worse for wear. Any luck with tracking down whatever has been causing all this chaos?"
"Some. The plan worked and we were beset by a half dozen of these "Tooth Fairies". I can attest to the effects of their paralyzing bite but fortunately my companions were up to the task and slew all but one of them. Unfortunately the last escaped into the night before we could purse. Without it's gang I don't think it's as much of a threat but the community should be wary in case it tries to cause mischief on it's own."
Nils scowls a bit, "Most vexing is that without a captive we were unable to learn if these attacks were directed or just the act of this gang of fey. If there was a force guiding these creatures then the escaped fairy may well alert them."
Taking a breath he finishes, "Regardless I think we've stopped the murders and that is something."
Hetamon nods as he listens to Nils "Well it sounds like you had an eventful evening then. Thank you for looking into this. As you say, with only one instead of a whole pack of them, it should be much less of a threat. Maybe even something the locals can deal with themselves. I'll be sure to spread the word for everyone to be on the look out and if we find anything I will find a way to let you know. You still visit with your mother yes? I could leave word with her."
Before continuing Hetamon rubs the back of his neck and sighs "However, it is concerning that you think there may have potentially been some guiding force behind this. What brings you to believe this?"
"Primarily the oddness of it. A pack of fey appearing suddenly and going on a killing spree at the same time as all the other troubles of late seems a bit too much of a coincidence. For now it is only a suspicion but in times like these a bit of suspicion can be prudent."
"I'd still be careful if you wander out alone, best go in pairs at night. Let that be known Hetamon, it will be far safer that way. Whenever evil erupts, often there are deeper reasons. All of Kintargo and it surrounds have been feeling the heavy hand of an evil presence, this could be just one manifestation among the many." the cleric adds quietly, "The head may be rotten."
It takes several moments for Saniel to recover from the evil bite of the fey and the paralyzing effect it had on him. After regaining his composure he tried to take up chase, but the creature was long gone. Reaching out with his senses he focused on the lingering aura of evil that the creature would have surely given off, hoping to track it back to whatever it called home, but his shoulders slumped as he detected the aura as it was dissipating into the cold night air.
While the others conversed with Hetamon, Saniel remained quiet and distant. The failure to defeat or capture the murdering fey weighed on him, and he wondered if we was truly up to this task of being a hero for the city. If only he had been stronger. Falling victim to that bite, not seeing it coming, was a mistake he should not have made.
"Hetamon, though we've only known each other in passing, your reputation as a steward for this community is well known. All of your actions since these recent troubles have only confirmed that and it seems to me you are someone who wishes to see better days for us all." Nils pauses a moment to consider his words before continuing.
"This new Lord Mayor and the House Thrune he represents will bring ruin to Kintargo if left unchecked. We have taken it upon ourselves to make sure that doesn't happen." Nils takes out a small silver raven from a hidden pocket. For a moment he turns it over in his hand, the exquisite details of the figurine catching the light, and then presents it to Hetamon.
"It's time those of like mind came together to protect the city we call home. I think you are one of those people. This figurine can be used to carry messages to us if the need presents. Be careful though, I trust you understand the symbolic nature of this token?"
As Nils hands the magical statue to Hetamon, Horillo watches Hetamon's reaction, looking for any sign that Nils' trust in the man might be ill-founded. He is silent as the exchange takes place, hoping that a new friend in the Nursery has been made.
Setting his drink down, Hetamon takes the silver raven and looks it over a moment, then looks to Nils with a smile "So it looks as though the Silver Ravens may be making a come back in Kintargo then?" He sets the statue down on the table and moves to shake Nils hand "This is greatly appreciated and I will be sure to let you know of anything of importance." He then turns to the rest of you "Thank you all for your help! I don't have much to offer, but if you are ever looking for fine clothes I can surely offer you a discount. More importantly, I will carefully spread the word about your help here, perhaps we can bring in more support for your cause."
Hetamon finishes his glass and picks up the silver raven statue then turns toward the door "Is there anything else? I want to go spread the good news about what has transpired tonight, maybe breath a little life back into the district."
Horillo smiles at Nils' judge of character as he settles down on an old carved wooden stool. "And if there are any that deserve Erastil's grace to mend their mind or flesh, I have small gifts that I can use, though the grace is due to my companions here first." He bows his head slightly, his kindly eyes shining out from under his hood as his hands clasp around the warmed clay pot from the stove. He shuffles his feet on the dusty earthen floor, slowly sipping the beverage listening to Hetamon and the others talk.
He looks to Nils and the rest, "I need to rest, time to get back home. Tomorrow is another day, send word to me at Olmer Smithy, unless you want me somewhere else."
"Okay Horillo, sleep well. I may head over to Clenchjaws. If anyone would like to join me. We can have a drink and see what the mood is...possibly hear some rumors or information we don't have. I also want to pick up the rest of my personal stuff and move it to our headquarters. I don't want to put Clenchjaw in any jeopardy undeservedly; he has always been kind to me."
”Hetamon, it is so great to have another trusted ally. House Thrune will NOT succeed in corrupting Kintargo!” Sorix pauses and blushes again after more passion came through in her words than intended.
”Mawl, I’ll take a raincheck for a drink at Clenchjaws. I’d like to try to replace the scrolls I used earlier...if I can stay awake that is. I’m exhausted.”
Addressing everyone: ”Rendezvous tomorrow at the Nest?”
"Thank you Hetamon." Nils considers a moment, "Have you seen the badges and uniforms the Thrune militia wear? Do you think that's something you could reproduce? A set of such might be useful in the future."
With that Nils bids the man a good night. It had been a long day but he was holding up pretty well, no doubt more used to night work than most of his companions.
"Goodnight Horillo and Sorix, again good work tonight. Mawl I'll join you for a bit. I believe you'd mentioned some kind of trouble was brewing at Clenchjaw's? As you say perhaps we can keep our ears open and report back to the group in the morning."
"I can definitely see what I can do." Hetamon replies as he starts to pack up to head home for the night. "Though replicating the uniforms of the Hellknights may be difficult. On the other hand, the local guard, the Dottari, may be a bit more straight forward."
Everyone heads their respective ways for the night. With it being so late Mawl arrives at Clenchjaws to find it closed for the night, but is able to collect his belongings and head to the Wasp's Nest for the evening.
You all wake to a new day in Kintargo. The city springs to life in the morning, but what you perceive as your partial triumph and partial failure from the night before sticks with you. Especially as a couple of you rub the soreness at the spots where you were bitten last night.
You trickle into the Nest to meet after you take care of your morning activities. Once everyone has arrived Laria brings you a message "A silver raven found its way here in the early hours of the morning. It had this message." She passes you a small piece of paper which reads "We tracked down the last of the fey, it was apparently foul tempered after your encounter and as we combed the area we heard it complaining and thrashing about in it's lair. It has been dealt with, but should you have a desire to check it's lair, stop by anytime. Thanks again for the aid! ~HH"
Once home Horillo joins the family for a late dinner of gristle and vegetable stew. Whilst they chat, Horillo asks his father what he knows of the prisoners being taken to the Salt Works. He asks him to keep his eyes and ears open to discover who the prisoners might be, where they are being held and why they are prisoners, what are their crimes. He tells his father to be very careful how he finds out any information, not to take any risks as doing so will put their whole family at risk. Horillo doesn't let on why he wants the information.
"Clenchjaw's was closed as you know and I did not see Clenchjaw himself to talk with him. I didn't notice anything specific, so I'm thinking we might clear this matter with the fey completely and check their lair, in light of this news from Hetamon"
Mawl seems struggling to help plan action.
Maybe if we release those being held prisoner unjustly, we may gain more allies and in a broader cross-section of the city. They usually target the most influential to imprison unjustly. I'll mention it after we check out the fey lair
Meeting the others the next morning, Saniel nods at Mawl's suggestion. "Checking the discovered lair could provide some answers as well as allowing us to make sure that no more of those fey appear to trouble the citizens of the area." The man paused for a moment to consider their other options before adding, "Perhaps after we have seen to that business we might consider making our way to Clenchjaw's and check in on the situation there?"
Saniel will spend some time that morning speaking with the Fushi sisters as well as their newly conscripted street merchant contacts to learn if anything new had escaped the gossip mill.
Horillo arrives at the Nest, the path of newly shed tears fall across his dirty cheeks. Those remnants of this morning's shock have steeled Horillo's heart and his face, lined with determination, eyes fixed speaks, "Thrune the ..." He holds his tongue from uttering vile words born from the demonic flames of anger, his voice strong continues, "have taken over the Salt Works and made it a labour camp. Not only have they thrown out the workers and made paupers of them all, but they murdered Old Ben the owner." His voice almost breaks as more words follow, "House Thrune forced my father and us to leave our home on Lord Tarn's estate when they ran the Lord out. Now they threaten our families existence again by kicking a hard working man, my father from his work. Not only my father, but many fathers, mothers, sons and daughters are thrust into poverty and left to eke out whatever existence they can. This time with the blood of Ben on their swords. Only when we work together as one family, with Erastil's blessing will this evil be abated."
Horillo's heart pounds underneath his cloak, as his hands tighten on his bow, "This will bring Eratil's judgement on the evil ones.". The white knuckles of his hand lifts the bow for his companions to see. "You can be sure there are innocents compelled to struggle for their own lives by the enforced labour they are forced to do for House Thrune. This injustice and any inflicted deaths in the Salt Works must be stopped and punishment against Thrune be enacted. We must act, when the time is right."
Never have the companions seen the passion in Horillo show to the for before with such vigor. He breathes deeply and closes his eyes to regain his composure and focus. "What next my friends, finish the job we started last night, then help Mawl's friends at the Clenchjaw as Saniel suggests. I'm in!"
"Horillo, my friend, this is the same thing the evil House Thrune did in my home city, not too many years ago. It's always the same. I know your anger and we will stop it here! Together and with the help of our allies, hopefully we can close in on it before it gets beyond our reach."
Nils feels an immediate relief as he hears of the success Hetamon and his friends had in tracking down the last of the fey. By no means was the Nursery safe, but at least it was safer.
He's about to agree to checking out Clenchjaw's when Horillo enters with his news. "I'm so sorry to hear that my friend. I was going to say we should check in at Clenchjaw's but I will stand with you if you feel the Salt Works are more pressing. Are there lives at immediate risk?"
"It seems lives at at risk throughout Kintargo, either hard labour, fires or through getting the attention of the guards. No, I think it can wait, we can help Mawl's friends first in Clenchjaw, hopefully it won't take long. Once we show ourselves at the Salt Works, House Thrune" he spits on the floor, "will know of our existence, perhaps we can keep our heads down before then."
Nils nods in understanding. "Shall we check out the fey's nest and then make our way to Clenchjaw's then?"
With the group decided you make your way back to the Devil's Nursery and find Hetamon back at his store. He greets you warmly, glad you received his message and came so quickly. Taking you through the dirty streets of the Nursery he regales you with the story of last night and how he rounded up some fellow tieflings, going block by block until they tracked the fey down and dispatched of it. Specifically pointing out that there were no casualties, very much because of the work you had already put in to dispatch the majority of the other fey.
Finally you arrive at what you find to be an old partially collapsed tavern. The sign barely hangs on the outside of the building and depicts what appears to be some sort of sexy female devil holding a bottle of alcohol between her legs that is depicted to pour out onto the sign. After taking some time to navigate the debris of the building Hetamon points you toward a dark corner of the building descending down into the earth. It's apparent that this was once part of the building’s root cellar. The chamber is about 5 feet wide by 10 feet long, and requires some effort to squeeze into.
An investigation of the tooth fairies’ den reveals a chamber slowly being decorated with teeth of all sorts. It appears that in time, the tooth fairies hoped to wallpaper the entire area with teeth, but for now only a few disturbing patterns decorate the walls. In
the center of one of these is a shiny gold tooth. A more interesting and gruesome find than the gold tooth lies in the far side of the area, where the broken, nearly toothless body of a young tiefling child has been set in a place of reverence in a niche in the wall. The child’s body has been tightly wrapped with thick preserved sinews, its wrists and ankles shattered and bound with cold iron chains. All but one of its teeth have been knocked from its jaws. An examination of the grisly find reveals dozens of phrases have been inscribed in a strange language in very fine writing along the sinews.
Fury fills Nils eyes at the horror before them. He takes half a step towards the tortured child's body before restraining himself with visible effort. "This is the source....somebody did this. Sorix, Horillo please examine...this...before we grant this poor child's body rest." he manages through clenched teeth.
Spinning on his heel he takes a few steps from the scene before slamming his fist into one of the rotted walls. The wood splinters and gouges his hand but he pays it no mind. Taking a deep, if stuttering breath, he releases it slowly and begins to search the area for any clues as to who else might have been here.
[ooc]T20 Perception for a 25[/dice]
Horillo follows Nils into the desolate cellar, before his guts heave at the sight of the tiefling child, he rapidly looks away to see the gleaming gold tooth seemingly laugh at him. "In the god's names, what is this all about!" He drops his bows and his hand cups his mouth, just managing to hold in the bile that rose in his throat. His eyes look to the floor before they slowly rise and look once more on the scene before him, his eyes glazed and far away, not wanting to acknowledge the evil. He is brought back to reality by the far away sound of Nils voice, that is louder as his shakes his head.
"Nils, I can't help with any magics used here, but I can help Saniel with looking at the poor, poor child. Sorix or Saniel might be able to decipher the cuts and know what ritual this is." He carefully looks around and on the child for any clues. "Mawl, if you don't want to see what evil can do, take a moment to search the rest of the building for anything that might be a clue to why this happened."
Mawl feels the anger and frustration rising, as if it were pumping through his body, blaming everything on House Thrune.
"Absolutely Horillo, I will search the area and find if there is anything of interest."
Mawl goes about searching and fuming, feeling helpless to help these people overcome the inevitability of what House Thrune did to his former home.
Sorix doesn’t even try to conceal her distressed grimace as Hetamon leads her and her allies into the foul nest. ”Sweet Desna!” Sorix unconsciously gasps as she catches sight of the broken child. She steels herself for a moment, then casts Detect Magic, first concentrating in the area of the child, then around the den in general. ”Let me see if I can make out any of this writing…”
Horillo looks the child's body over, he can't tell much but it doesn't have the tell tale signs you saw on the other body that it was attacked by tooth fairies. As far as Horillo can tell the teeth were removed after death. Racking his brain he can't think of any religious ritual this would relate to.
Sorix attempts to decipher the writing but it is a very strange language that she is not familiar with and can't decipher it's meaning.
Other than the various teeth there is nothing else or particular interest in the tooth fairies lair.
Not finding anything of further interest Nils looks to the others for approval to cut the child down. While he waits he gazes at the writing to see if it's anything he can decipher.
"Let us hope the child's spirit found rest with Pharesma's judgement. At least let the body rest now, cut it down Nils." He looks at the patterns on the wall wondering if the gold tooth was of specific relevance, or just coincidental. "Do we have anything to mark down these patterns and the writings, we might find someone who can translate the meaning of all this!!" The cleric just hangs his head dismayed by the evil that was perpetrated here. "I can come back tomorrow and ask Erastil to cleanse the area of evil, if I can find the right kind of prayer." He continues, "but maybe we could all do with a strong drink, if there is nothing more we can do here. The Clenchjaw, might be the right place to get one."
Nils takes time and care to remove the body, as you take it out Hetamon sneers seeing the sight but can tell it has already struck a nerve so only offers "I've not seen the child before, perhaps a street urchin. Would make sense, as I hadn't heard of any reports of a missing kid from any of the families here. I can see to it the child receives a proper burial."
Looking things over one last time nothing else particularly stands out. The patterns of teeth appear to be more artistic than anything and the gold tooth you figure just happened to be in one of the victims mouths, though it could be of some value if you really wanted to try and sell it. You're certain there was something going on there, but you just don't know what or whether it relates to the recent unpleasantness in town and that may eat at you even more than the grissley scene you found. You leave the lair with little to show for your efforts other than a gloomy mood.
"Let's go then. I am eager to see how Clenchjaw has fared with goings on in the city. I am actually not sure how he is going to come down on the proclamations, we have never discussed much of anything serious. I certainly wouldn't advise letting on our connection to the Silver Ravens or our position against the House of Thrune until we know more of his proclivities. We need to get a sense of where he stands and then how much we can rely on him and his connections. Someone better skilled in language and the subtleties of social cues should lead the conversation after the introductions....I just know not what we will find"
It would appear Mawl is realizing he doesn't know much about Clenchjaw even though he lived under his roof and assisted in some of his more discreet business.
"Thank you." Nils says to Hetamon in response to his offer to care for the body. After cutting it down he wraps the child in a cloak before giving him to his fellow Tiefling. He keeps some of the bindings with the writing on them in case they can be deciphered later.
When Mawl speaks he smiles a bit and places a hand up on the mans shoulder. "It's not a connection my friend, we are the Silver Ravens"
Making your way out of the Devil's Nursery you head for the Bleakbridge. As you approach a group of Dottari stop you just before the bridge requesting the appropriate toll required by the new Mayor, 3cp per head crossing the bridge. Saniel just pays the toll for everyone to avoid delaying things further and you continue on your way.
Almost immediately after crossing, Mawl leads you to the west and you arrive at the Tavern. The sign outside depicts an over-sized oyster. Mawl leads you inside. The place is well maintained and reasonably quite as the last of the breakfast crowd is finishing up and heading out for the day. The proprietor, Rinston “Clenchjaw” Jon, is no where to be seen, but a half-elf woman, who Mawl knows as Jillian the bar maid, rushes about tending to the few remaining customers. Seeing Mawl, Jillian gives him a brief nod and a smile "Brought some friends I see. Take a seat wherever you like, I'll be with you in a minute."
Once you find a spot and get comfortable Jillian comes over "So what can I get you all?"
"Hey Jillian! Great to see you. I see you're as busy as ever. Where's the boss? I haven't been around lately, since the big speech thing, too many business opportunities popping up elsewhere if you know what I mean."
Mawl is keenly observing her expressions for any signs of unusual stress or reactions to his words.
"oy, bring us a plate of my favourite biscuits, too, please. I know I need at least 3 so a dozen or so should handle us"
Jillian shrugs at Mawl's initial inquiry "He's in the back resting. You know, he seems more out of sorts as of late than usual. He always ends up passing out before we even shut down for the night. He is definitely not his usual energetic self, but it could just be the stress of the recent influx of customers with the Thrashing Badger having burnt down."
After Mawl requests some biscuits she looks to everyone else "Anyone like anything else?"
”Mm, biscuits sound lovely. Lots of butter and honey if you have it. Tea with whiskey for me as well, please.”
Nils sits taking a seat that gives a good view of the room and scanned it for anything of interest.
Not being familiar with the place he listened quietly as Mawl talked to Jillian until asked for his order.
"An interesting combination." Nils remarks at Sorix's order, "I think I'll join you. The same please."
Jillian writes down your requests on a little pad and heads back to put in your order with the cook. She comes back with some water and the requested team and whisky and sets them down before noting the food will only be a bit. Then she heads off to see to the other quests, most of which are leaving to get to work at the docks.
After a short time she heads back into the kitchen and comes out with your order and sets it on the table. With most of the tavern cleared out she sits down for a moment next to Mawl and wipes her brow with a cloth while letting out a sigh of relief "Glad the morning rush is over, so what've you been up to Mawl? Hadn't seen you around in a few days."
"Yeah, with the speech and all the new proclamations, things were getting a little heated. The fires were mysterious and bad and left many people needing help. There have also been a number of grisly killings that also shouldn't take place. My friends here and I happen to be in a position to give some aid, and you know how I am. I like to help those that need it, especially when they are getting bullied." Mawl replies being careful not to give away too much.
"Have you noticed anything unjust going on around here? By the way you probably shouldn't walk home alone any more. I'll hang around for you to get off and escort you, nobody should be on the streets alone." Under his breath he says, "Has Clenchjaw been complaining about anyone more than usual? Surely, he doesn't approve of all that has taken place?"
Sorix’s tiny bunny familiar pokes her snow-white head from beneath the folds of her master’s black robes. ”Oh, could I also bother you for some kind of green kitchen scraps? Carrot tops would be perfect if you have any.”
Sorix gently pets the soft fur behind the bunny’s ears and intently observes the goings-on in the room.