Mawl going on some of his past experience with the fringe of legitimate businesses in the city...
Mawl begins leading the group through the sewers confident he can find them a way out. Not too far ahead you see some natural light and it must be the exit but as you approach you approach the sewer tunnel opens into a wider room. On the other side of the room is the grate leading outside but inside the room you spot a three-legged monster that is mostly mouth. Three tentacles, two tipped with barbs and one with eyes, extend from its sides. Oddly, it looks to maybe be reading a dirty book laying open on the ground.
Mawl attempts to gauge mentally if the tentacles can reach him at 10' and he might need to use his Bec to keep the monster at 15'.
Horillo turns to the hellknights, "I've not seen such a beast before, any idea what it could be?" Horillo takes his time studying the chamber.
”I dunno what it is, but it looks like it is reading. If it is reading a book here, it most likely speaks Common. So it might be reasoned with,” Surexeria whispers.
"I don't see anything!"
Horillo blinks a couple of times as he stares at the creature. "That creature is wearing a symbol of Gozreh. It's been put together from the trash, but surely it is a holy symbol." He turns to Cassie, "Are you sure you don't know what this creature is, before I go and speak with it?"
"Let me look again." she says, focusing this time.
"Oh. I do recognize it, Horillo. It's an otyugh. They are scavengers, wandering through vast underground caverns in search of the choicest cuts of garbage and waste. Their bites often carry disease."
"They are not known to read however, there is something else at play here. Be on your guard."
Mawl is being careful to remain 20' from the Otyugh, as he looks quizically at Horillo and Cassie. "Be careful to stay away from those tentacles, they look like they could easily grab you.
As everyone stands in the hall talking for a bit it eventually draws the creatures attention from whatever it is reading. It looks at you a moment and takes up a defensive stance holding its tentacles in a protective manner.
"Well I need to know if we are going to fight or talk. This thing seems intelligent enough to talk."
Horillo calls to the creature, not advancing any closer. "I apologise to have disturbed your leisure and reading time, we mean no harm to you. However we would ask you permission to travel through your domain. If we can help you after we have finished our travels, we shall be indebted to you and oblige if we can." The cleric lowers his head in deference to the beast, without taking his eyes off it's reaction. He shows his palms are empty of any weapons and his motives are peaceful.
To his friends he whispers, "Watch it and help with your words if it might help, otherwise Mawl be ready."
Cassie clears her throat and steps forward to address the monster "Excuse me. What my friend was trying to say is, we come in peace and mean no harm. We would like to pass without causing any conflict, may we do so?"
The creature looks about ready to attack, not believing Horillo's intent but as Cass speaks up it hesitates and then points its tentacles toward the grate leading out and nudges its body as if nodding in the direction. It maintains its defensive stance, seeming to want to protect the book, but at least doesn't appear to have an aggressive intent toward you.
"Let's go" says Horillo hurriedly, "Perhaps we should buy it a book as a thank you on the way back." he looks at Cassie and Surexeria. "I guess it's a chosen one of Gozreh, though that is weird." Horillo follows the other =s as they quickly make their way to the grate. Where Horillo spends time to male sure their exit is safe, or as safe as it can be.
"Indeed. That is an excellent suggestion Horillo and quite the kind gesture."
She watches all around as well, staying on the lookout for trouble.
Horillo looks at the grate to see if it is blocking their way, "We might need your strength here Mawl?"
Mawl shakes his head from distraction and climbs up to move the grate.
The monster watches as you pass but makes no attempt to attack. Moving over to the grate it takes a little effort but you manage to pry it off and get out into some fresh air. You step out into the shadow of the city wall. You would guess that this area isn’t closely patrolled, but it is right next to the city wall, so there’s always a chance a patrol could be passing by. No regular citizens likely pass through this area. Ahead is a mostly open field before reaching a treeline that you can use to cover your exit out into the wilderness before heading toward your destination.
"What do you think, wait until dusk and make it across to the trees, if should provide a little cover, or do we go now and risk being seen making it across the open space?" Horillo says concerned that they are not discovered.
"I'm not sure if someone will start searching for us if they discover that we have not actually 'transferred' any prisoners, in which case we may need to go as soon as possible and still in disguise."
Horillo says thoughtfully.
"I suppose we could just start heading over in 2 s or 3s, but each head for a slightly different place in the hedges, then meet up together over there," he points to a large chestnut tree, just behind the treeline, but in cover of the hawthorns and other bushes that grow there. "and stagger our departures by a few minutes each."
"Sounds like a good plan. I am the largest, well some of the Hell Knights are just as large or larger, we should split us up as best as possible."
Cassie agrees "Alright. Mawl's the largest and I'm the smallest, maybe I'll go with him?" she suggests.
"Three groups of three at 2 minute intervals. Best if the Hell Knights spilt up between the three groups, one group at 10 o'clock to the tree line, then 2 o'clock, then noon." He looks over the group, "Mawl, Cassie and one Hell Knight, Sorix, Surexeria and a Hell Knight, I will go with the other two Hell Knights. You agree?"
"perfect. Cass..You ready? We will be first, let's go"
Mawl, Cassie and a Hell Knight take off toward 10 o'clock. As Mawl is running Did Horillo mean don't leave until 10 o'clock or if that was a position. Did he mean AM or PM, oh wait, did they start at 6 o'clock? I guess I got Cassie to guide me, she knows what's going on.
Cassie selects a Hellknight to accompany them and says "You're with us. Ready? Okay, move!"
The lore warden does indeed know what's going on and grabs Mawl's arm to course-correct him and keep the group moving in the correct direction.
Despite a few of you making more noise than is ideal, luck seems to be on your side as no guards are passing by your section of the wall when you make your getaway. You're able to make it out of the proximity of the wall and out of danger.
From Kintargo, you make your way around the city in route to the shrine. You cross Night Road, Silver Road, and the Yolubilis River without issue. You’re nearing Ravounel Road when you spot a pair of dottari patrolling the highway. You see them in plenty of time, however, as one carries a bright lantern that makes the two easy to spot.
Once the danger has past, you’re able to cross Ravounel Road and make your way into the swampy western shore of Argo Isle. You estimate it’s about 9pm when you arrive at the shrine.
The shrine’s caretakers are expecting you and quickly usher you inside. Brother Jenbai knocks on the secret door a few times with his wooden staff and it opens less than a minute later to reveal the fully-armored form of Lictor Octavio Sabinus.
He looks exactly like he did when last you saw him and bears a serious expression on his face. Seeing his men he gives them a nod.
“I am grateful for your aid,” he says without introduction. “I suppose we should hash out any sort of agreement you would like to make, but before we start our talks, is there anything I need to know about your work in saving my armigers?”
"Well, it was going rather smoothly but then we ran into the torturer, in order to get the last man. We had quite the battle with her, and there was some bloodshed but nobody died. We also ran into a strange Otyugh on the way back. He seemed to be worshiping some god and was satisfied with the deal we made with him."
Octavio raises his brow at the mention of the torturer "So they were torturing my armigers..." A deep frown forms on his face but then he looks to the group "Well then I am even more appreciative of your aid. How is it you dealt with the torturer? You mentioned blood shed. So do we need to be worried that people will now be looking for my armigers? Were you not able to secure their release some other way?"
Cassie steps in "We forged some documents and prepared a false transfer. We saw the Warden and she approved it. As we were removing the prisoners, one in particular was being tortured. We were unsuccessful in trying to extract the armiger peacefully, so we used force to ensure he survived. We made a hasty retreat and traveled straight here."
"If they look into the transfer, they will find it was a fake and likely will suspect the armigers of being tied to the murder of the torturer. The Warden may not care about the torturer however, as it seemed the guards were no fans of the Apocrisiarius Kyton."
The Lictor’s expression darkens at your words about Hortense, the kyton, and your rescue efforts. He replies, “I have studied kytons before, but have never had the chance to relieve one of its life. I am glad you avenged what it did to Hortense."
He looks to the armigers and offers them a slight nod and a smile, which they return in silence. Turning his attention back to you he notes "Well, we shall do the best with what we have, at least with your ruse it may buy us some time. Now, down to business. You have helped me so, how is that I might be able to help you?"
Cassie continues taking the lead in the conversation when no one else seems to speak up. "I do not believe we have a specific need at this time, however there may soon come a time when we will need your backing. We would like to ensure that our group has your support should we come calling. Our interests seem to be aligned and I believe we can work together as allies."
.
Octavio nods "Of course. I'll start to see to my armigers training again and we will be ready should you have a need for us. In the absence of somewhere else safe to stay in the city I suppose we shall remain here for the time being, even though with all of us space will be a bit cramped."
He looks to you all to see if there is anything else to discuss.
Horillo smiles A job well done, now back to the fight against Thrune. "Our thanks Octavio, your sister will be pleased we have honored our help to you. We must return and continue to map out the sewers to find safe and secure routes to travel about town. I hope we can meet again in better circumstances." Horillo nods to Octavio. bHe thinks a moment and adds, "We may not have your foresight to plan a campaign, your strategic advice might prove useful in the future, your knowledge of Thrune and his supporters will come in handy when we come up against them. Hmmm. We'll meet again. "
Surexeria leaned against the far wall as the Hellknights were reunited with their leader. They always made her uneasy anyway. As a deal appeared to be struck, she turned and slipped out of the hidden area and up to the shrine itself.
She gave the goddess of seafarers a nod and dip of her hat before stepping outside for some fresh air.
Octavio and his armigers bid you farewell, giving you their thanks once again and noting they will be ready if you should call upon them. You head back to the city, happy knowing you've at least helped some people directly wronged by this corrupt regime even if they were Hellknights you likely would have never thought to help before.
Tracing your steps back you eventually make it back to the sewer grate you escaped from and back to your base. When you get back some of your followers noted that Setrona wanted to talk to you when you had an opportunity.
After Mawl checks in with Vendy making sure he is still doing well, "If Setrona needs to see us we better take care of that right away. It's probably important. Let's head that way now, probably in small groups."
"Agreed, let's go" Horillo nods to Mawl.
Not even having a chance to settle in after all the walking about you head upstairs to see what is going on with Setrona. When she sees you she hurries over and pulls you aside "I'm glad you came. There is a woman who has specifically been asking for you all. I set her up in one of the private rooms with some drink but she has been waiting for you all for some time. Sorry, I didn't know what else to do but I figured if she knew who you were she must be a friend of yours or something."
"Alright Setrona, I think you did the right thing. Let's see if Vendy will be our fly on the wall and maybe just one of us actually meet with her while the rest wait nearby, in case it's a trap."
"I'm hoping she doesn't have those spikes all over her body like the last woman we met."
"I agree with you about the spikes, Mawl" Horillo laughs. "We'd best greet her, but as Mawl sasy we should be on our guard. Perhaps Surexeria and I should go in first and get the lie of the land, make sure there isn't a trap waiting." Horillo says. "Mawl, just be ready to burst in if we need help. If someone could cast a spell that allows us to communicate, like we did in the prison, then we should be OK." he nods.
Mawl gives a thumbs-up, "I'll be ready!"
"Both Sorix and I have the ability to use a magical spell which allows us to whisper messages to those nearby. It will last for little more than half an hour. When we're ready to begin, I'll cast it."
Surexeria shrugs. ”Just stay close enough to come if your called,” she says before heading on to the private area. It wasn’t the first secret meeting she would attend. And it definitely wouldn’t be the last.
She headed into the private room ahead of Horillo and pulled out a chair and leaned back, resting her boots on the table. ”So...word is ye’ve been askin’ around fer some particular individuals. And what for, I wonder...”