The imp pops back into view near all the torture devices, still holding onto the box. He looks down at the ground in shame "She can not have this box... I will consider giving it to you if you promise me to lock it away! It holds a dark leather bag and a silver hook that allows the user to draw imps — subservient to the user — directly from Hell. I just want to hide the bag from mortals to protect devils of my kind."
|
Can't imagine why Zarta'd want one'a those.
"We're under orders to take this back to a place where artifacts like this are locked away and bragged about. Provided a certain imp can keep its mouth shut about the purpose of the box, I figure the missus will probably lose interest in it, and it'll be forgotten in some vault someplace."
Percival sheaths the silver letter opener as a show of good faith.
|
|
"Is that the only thing in the box?" asks Kasei, shifting his stance to face directly towards the imp. "If so, it is what we have come to retrieve, so that it may be placed in the vaults of the Pathfinder Society. It is unlikely to be used while there." I almost feel a bit of sympathy for this fiend, the samurai muses, a little surprised at himself.
|
Kala Laughs.
"That's easy. She told us to get her a box and that's what we'll get her! You give us the box but keep sliver hook since without it no one can draw more imps. Then again this box and its items are to be brought back and then stored in the vaults. I doubt the mistress actually knows what it's for."
This secret will be safe with us. As you can from my companions, we're willing to make this deal."
The imp nods "Very well take the box and lock it away in your vault. I can live with this." He turns to Kala "I would have already removed the items if I could this box is locked up tight and I think may be trapped." Then to Kuwabara he shrugs "It's the only thing I know of inside." He holds out the box to Kala to take, seeming to trust her the most of everyone.
|
|
Good enough for me.
Percival dismisses himself from the bedroom and addresses the Paracountess.
"I trust your staff can right such a small thing as a destroyed bedroom in short order? Judging by the decor, it's probably not an unusual request."
Percival quickly realizes that fighting an imp was only the start of a busy day planned for him by Ambrus Valsin.
Do I want to take my licks from Ollysta now or later... she'll dole out penance in the form of some good deed, which I could stand to catch up on. Then there's the Sczarni, which I'm sure will require some combination of strong-arming, sneaking about, and illicit wares. Then there's Osirion, which legitimately sounds straight-forward...
Then there's Kasei, who'll probably want to see Ollysta based on Harlynne's instance to see her benefactor first... What the hell...
"Any qualms with seeing Ollysta next?"
Going back to Zarta she smiles as you walk back from the bedroom and explain you've completed your task, "Well done then. He's made quite a mess then? I'll be sure to punish him properly." A sly grin graces her lips before she continues "In any event I'll be sure to pass on a good word on your behalf. Please give my wishes to Ambrus and tell him he must visit soon." With that she goes into the room calling out for one of her servants to come clean up the mess.
|
|
After weighing the possibilities in his mind, Kasei concludes that the chances of destroying this fiend before it can go invisible again, without a silver weapon like Priddy has, are minimal. Besides, he thinks, that Kala woman made a promise and the fiend followed through on it. Allowing the exchange to go forward without objection means I am party to that promise, and I do not break my word, even to fiends.
Kasei sheathes his katana with a metallic hiss, and turns to the others. "Ollysta-sama it is then. As for ideals down the throat... much greater danger of that here, I'd say." He takes one more look at the torture implements -- or are they toys? -- and gives a quiet snort, striding out the door imperiously.
|
|
Kasei has the truth of it. My throat is safer in a Sarenite temple than a Chelish fun-room.
"Rest assured Harlynne, Miss Zadrian is more interested in noble works than force-feeding faiths."
Percival takes a quick introspective look at his own life.
"Some of us could stand to perform more noble works that others."
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?”
|
|
Harlynne's going to pitch an absolute fit.
Percival tries hard to stifle a chortle, barely succeeding.
Delivering medicine to an orphanage! For crying out loud, I was read this story when I was a child... I'm half expecting it to be on fire when we arrive and us to save the day.
"Ma'am, gladly. Are there any corrective measures you'd like to see happen with the headmistress if she's, well, as you put it, 'abusin' our generosity'?"
Unlike the inappropriate laughter, Percival does not hide his preference in investigating and fixing the problem over the actual delivery of medicine.
Percival takes the parcel and offers it to Kasei.
"I don't mind t' carry it, but I'm hardly the knight in shinin' armor they're expecting at an orphanage to deliver it."
|
|
"She's the proprietor of a home for a group o' kids people would rather throw money at an' forget instead of doin' anything about it."
Percival's words come out harsher than intended, the mistreatment and neglect of children a significant sore spot.
"My pardons, Miss Zadrian. Anyway, it's a stressful job and you make yer own perks, because it's likely nobody's watchin' ya do what it is yer doin'."
If she's up to something she'll lie and dodge inspection...
"We need a bakery. Kid'll sell their own parents out for a sweet roll... lucky fer them, they don't have any, but the caretaker'll do just fine. Kala, might be a good job for you. Harlynne, might wanna do somethin' about that exposed superstructure of yers, lest this orphanage is made up of teenage boys."
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, I wouldn't want you to take matters into your own hands unless the situation was dire."
|
|
Kala chips in still not sure what they're supposed to be doing actually.
"So Raze with the cheliaxian fire? Deliver Hell Medicine? Heroic Corrupti-Hey nice hairdo....."
Attention taken by the latest fashion.
Kala begins to chat up stall keepers, passerbys and even children as the party travels to their next destination. She knows she needs to find out about a heroic Aunt Baldwin in Hell or is it hellish Baldwin who's an auntie........
Leaving the Temple of the Shinning Star and being efficient with your time the group heads to a local 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 when 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.
|
|
"I am detecting a pattern here. I pray it is not so, but I am -- what is the word -- contemplating the idea that this Auntie may be using the orphans as pickpockets or other such things."
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
|
"Pickpockets? Pro'ly just errand boys an' girls... get the older ones that can't cook an' clean to go shop while she tends to the kids and her other activities."
Alcoholic, child labor, gambling, and fencing. Great.
"If she's got a successful racket goin' on, I doubt she'd let her livelihood hinge on some kid's ability to filch a coin 'r two.
Nearly swarming with cats and children, this fine upper-class home appears to be clean and in good condition considering the number and ages of its inhabitants. Three young boys shoot marbles in the dirt near the side porch, and inside strewn toys and more cats lie about on the floors. A few children take care of chores, while coughs and sneezes softly erupt from the children’s dormitories upstairs.
|
|
"I will speak to her while the rest of you, perhaps, could speak to the children and look around. "
-Posted with Wayfinder
Priddy and Kuwabara enter the house. Children and cats running about, as soon as you come in one of the kids runs into a back room "Auntie Baltwin there are visitors." Shortly after an elderly woman comes hobbling out, a cat skitters across her path and she gives it a swift kick. "Yes, is there something I can help you with?" Only half paying attention to you, she points at one of the kids climbing on some furniture "You, you get down from there!"