Jirani cracks open the crate after not locating any traps. The rescued crate holds a smaller mahogany box inside, which contains five books and a few loose sheets of paper in a leather folder. The titles and subjects seem completely unrelated to each other: Practical Thaumaturgy In Accordance with Creation, Geographic Anomalies of the Inner Sea, Under Kaer Maga: A Trial and Travel, Physiology of Dragons: An Illustrated Reference, Lost Sarusan. The leather folder contains cargo manifestos, warehouse inventories, and other financial logs from a dozen different merchant houses and trade guilds.
The crate also contains 10 sets of masterwork thieves’ tools, three flasks of alchemist’s fire, a flask of acid, a dozen jars of various inks, a footprint book, adamantine weapon blanch, three bags of powder, a deck of marked cards, and two sets of average loaded dice.
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"I'm surprised he wants the books and not the cards" Olik comments with a chuckle. "At least we found a few items that might be of use to us. I'll take a bag of that powder if no one minds. We should probably also spread out the Alchemists fire and other bags in case we need them in a pinch."
"Things seem pretty calm outside. Before heading out let's give this place a good looking over" He pauses a moment, "It occurs to me...is there anything inside those books?"
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Lets grab what we were asked to grab and get moving. I don't trust this place staying this low key for much longer.
Volker looks over the items in the crate, however nothing catches his eye. He is however very intrested in the books and papers they're bringing back as their assignment.
Let me take a look at the mahogany box and the contents.
Volker looks over the items in the box.
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I hadn't considered it might have any special properties. Thank you Olik hands him the bag to look at while he goes back to looking around.
The group gathers up their new found equipment and head back to Guaril to return the documents. Getting back to the Pickled Imp you find Guaril tending to the shop.
The Varisian smiles as you hand over the books and papers. He tosses the books aside, "Very well done indeed! I will see too it personally that you each receive a fair compensation for your work! I assume you have other business to attend to, so I will not belabor you with coin counting. Your funds will be waiting for you by this evening at the Pathfinder Lodge. Good luck, and if you ever need anything less . . . mundane for your 'work', you know where to find me."
He begins to walk to the back of the store room to look through the papers.
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Olik finishes his search of the warehouse. Finding nothing of importance he dusts off his hands and heads out with the rest of the group.
"The Ascendant Court would be the next closest stop. We can get there by travelling through the coins. I've only heard a bit about Ollysta Zadrian. My understanding is that she's a paladin of Sarenite who leads the Silver Crusade. I expect our next task will be quite a bit different from the last." He finishes with a chuckle.
During the walk Olik tries to strike up a conversation with Salador and Volker.
"I'm a bit ashamed to say that we've already fought together but I haven't yet had the chance to swap stories with you two. What brought you to the Pathfinders and where did it bring you from if you don't mind my asking?"
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Back at the warehouse, Jirani shared what he found in the other crates. Not much of interest to most, but he may have to come back later himself. It'll take some work to find buyers for it, but a merchant needs something to sell, and he'd need something to do during his down time.
Jirani listens to the chat as they make their way to the next stop. He keeps a lookout for the elusive redhead as they travel through the Coins.
Arriving at the Temple of the Shining Star, you are immediately directed to Ollysta Zadrian. This paladin of Sarenrae is young in her years, but holds herself with the poise of a queen and warrior simultaneously. As she notices your arrival, she strides forward, addressing the group in a strong voice.
“Thank the light of Sarenrae you have arrived! I knew Ambrus would come through for us in the Silver Crusade. I desperately need you to bring medicine to an orphanage and let me know if the headmistress, Gilga Baltwin, is deserving of our charity. Since our quest began, the needy have clamored for our aid, and I suspect some are abusing our generosity. It may sound cruel, but there are plenty of dishonest people out in the world eager for easy gold."
The paladin smiles gently before continuing on, “Do you know of the Silver Crusade? After discovering so many factions splintered the Society, a number of us banded together to proliferate the cause of charity and kindness using the Society’s resources. As it is said, ‘The Dawn brings new light’ and I’ve made it my life’s work to use our recent darkness to bring a new light to the world and to the Pathfinder Society. I apologize for straying off point. Will you bring this parcel of medicine to Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery in the Eastgate district?”
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"I would imagine you have chosen the right group to join Volker. In most places Patherfinder and adventurer are synonymous. Hopefully our future tasks will be more adventursome than our current errands but you need to learn to fight a stump before you can kill a troll as they say in my village."
Turning to Salador he continues, "We have joined for similar reasons then. For myself I hope to have the chance to see and meet the different people, places and cultures of Golarion and learn their tales. The Pathfinders seem to present the best chance of doing so. Just within our small group I've already met fine people from all around our world. Take Tamarie for instance. The Stolen Lands you say? I know it is in the northeast of the River Kingdoms but little more. I have heard it is mostly wild land much like my own homeland. I would enjoy the chance to learn more about it."
"This shipment will be safe with us. Do you have reason to doubt Gilga specifically? What sort of illness do these children have?"
The paladin makes a brief hand signal and a young apprentice runs over with a small crate of supplies. "Here you are, this is the medicine we need distributed. The children's illnesses vary, but are generally nothing too severe. Honestly, I'm not sure if Gilga Baltwin is honest or not, but I hope this delivery by Pathfinder agents will confirm whether the orphanage is operating on the up and up. Please be observant and report back any evidence that Baltwin isn’t worthy of the Silver Crusade’s aid."
As for the information she provided. Eastgate district is an almost entirely residential district with many of its people working in other parts of the city. The district as a whole is quiet and orderly.
You know there is an estate across the street from Gilga Baltwin housing Master Trebb Bonto, an honest retired builder who might have more insight as they are close to the same age and may participate in activities together.
You'd likely be able to find some information from her neighbors. Having a general idea of the neighborhood you know there is a couple that lives next door to her.
There is also a local market nearby Baltwin's home where she likely shops that you know can be a great source of information as the merchants love to gossip.
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Underway:
"Yes, indeed it is. It is a dangerous but interesting place, filled with animals and strange fey. Who knows, I might take you there, if I think you can survive for more than a few days, without me to hold your hand." she says with a huge grin towards the Ulfen.
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At Ollysta:
Tamarie will get closer to Volker, and whispers in his ear.
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Just before entering the Temple, Jirani shares that he's kept an eye out for the redhead, but hasn't seen her.
Leaving the Temple, Jirani offers his idea. "Is anyone here stealthy?" His glance rests longer on Salador as he poses the question, before continuing, "We have this orphanage's address. It wouldn't be hard for someone to sneak a peek through some of the windows before or while the rest of us deliver the medicine."
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On the way to Baltwin's:
The next area we're head towards is very "residential". I think we should check around the market, maybe speak with the neigbors before we speak with Baltwin and give up the medicine. Should be a good way to gauge the intentions of Baltwin before we speak with this person.
Volker will whisper back to Tamarie
"I'm hoping she didn't notice. Way to get off on the right foot, huh."
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A wise idea my friend. Though perhaps our huntress would be better suited. I'll offer to entertain the children for a bit to see if I can learn anything from them if the rest of the group doesn't mind seeing what they can learn from Gilga while I do so. It might also be worth asking those in neighbouring buildings their thoughts.
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Volker explains to Olik, and the group for that matter, what he knows about Baltwin.
"Baltwin resides in the Eastgate district. This district is an almost entirely residential district with many of its people working in other parts of the city. The district as a whole is quiet and orderly."
"There is an estate across the street from Gilga Baltwin housing Master Trebb Bonto, an honest retired builder who might have more insight as they are close to the same age and may participate in activities together."
"We'de likely be able to find some information from her neighbors. Having a general idea of the neighborhood you know there is a couple that lives next door to her."
"There is also a local market nearby Baltwin's home where she likely shops that you know can be a great source of information as the merchants love to gossip."
Being efficient with your time the group heads to the market on the way to Baltwins and her neighbors. The particularly chatty merchant Miltivis, who runs the market, claims he’s served Auntie Baltwin for over 30 years, and while a good customer, she is quite demanding and often rude to the other customers. He says she’s kept his supplier of fine whiskeys in business for decades.
Stopping by the manor across the street from the orphanage Master Trebb
Bonto, a retired builder, says nothing but nice things of Lady Baltwin, as he calls her. He recounts tales of tea and games on the sitting porch, though if pressed, he lets slip that she often cheats at games and sometimes had some shady characters coming to whisper in her ear and palm her small bags of what might have been money before slinking away. “Otherwise a fine lady, indeed.” he quickly adds.
The final stop before heading to the house is Baltwins next door neighbors, Travost and Tirelle Anthos who are frankly tired of the noises the children make and the retinue of cats— though they do appreciate the
latter’s mousing skills. They admit to being happy when Auntie Baltwin sends the children “off into the town” during the day, as it gives them a few hours of peace and quiet before they return in the evening.
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"Well I've been known to put good use to words but I've yet to get a good read on the nuances of these southerners speech. Volker perhaps you could speak with the woman and get a feeling for her? Plus I'm sure your efforts will help you shine is the fair paladins eyes eh?" He finishes with a wink and chuckle
Still smiling he looks at Tamarie, "What say you Tamarie? Are you up for some skulking?"