I fear he's quite dead.
"Oh Gods!! an old woman wails. "They've gone and killed him. They've killed Tom!! Murderers!! Someone get the watch!
Taking the older woman's wails literally, one of the younger kitchen aids makes a break for the other exit from the kitchen.
Moira stands straight up and performs a soldier's salute saying, "Yes sir!"
Immediately she springs into action and starts looking around the kitchen, looking for another way out, hopefully some stairs.
Hand crackling with barely contained fury born from his fiery heritage, Ignius nods stoically. This situation could be difficult to explain, and any guards that come will likely be in the purse of the thieves, a bit of petty larceny can be looked past, but murder will not be tolerated. We should move quickly.
The alien sight of grippli and giant gecko do nothing to quell the panic.
Violence begets violence, violence begets violence... Help us, Lady.
Double back... they won't expect it. Same way.
Realizing that there may be no internal way to the roof the rogue double backs to the alley-way door and looks out. If there is no sign of trouble then she will slowly make her way out.
Moving stealthily back out into the courtyard, Moira looks to the rooftops for their attackers, but none are to be found. Looking around you see little more than a few shattered crossbow bolts and a bloody trail leading into the inn. Your enemies appear to be gone.
"Looks like we are alone. We can head out. I'm gonna scope the main street."
Moira moves close to the walls of the alleyway and heads to the main street.
Keeping your eyes out for any other conspicuous figures on the roof tops, you make your way back to the relative safety of the busy main streets of Sassarine. Undeterred, you find the Taxidermist's guild hall and enter into its dim interior. As your eyes adjust, you are confronted by dozens of expertly stuffed and preserved animals, ranging from parrots, monkeys, and bats to more exotic creatures like a monstrous centipede, a stirge, and even a black dragon wyrmling.
A bell near the door bears a short sign, "Ring for Service."
Eyeing the young woman who has proven quite adept as of late, Iginus nods as she riffles through the mans equipment before holding a bag of gems. Grab them and go.
Moira begins to casually wonder around the shop looking for anything odd, possibly looking for a hidden door of sorts.
The door to the taxidermist's shop creaks as it opens, the shadow of a figure stretches across the floor as light spills into the shop. A tall, gruff looking man strides in, armor glinting plainly beneath the weathered cloak draped over his shoulders and arms. The man pauses in his step and surveys the room, scratching idly at his scruffy beard as he does so.
"Hmpf. You all fit Lavinia's description." He kicks the door open again and leans outside, "Hey, Rast! Yeah, they're in here." He lets the door close and moves farther into the room. "Lavinia gave us your names, but I've found more formal introductions tend to set people more at ease. The name's Graythan, though most just call me Gray. Lavinia asked us to help you track down Vanthus, said we might find you here."
Walking in casually with a shield on his back and trident leaning against his shoulder is a half-elf of average height dressed in an armored coat and a wooden medallion depicting Osprem's symbol displayed proudly on his chest.
"Yep. Fit the description they do. The name's Rast. That Lavinia has some sway to get the High Priest to send us from the Azure Cathedral to help out. Just let us know what you need and we will see what we can do."
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Justified looks skeptical at first, but when names are given and the Azure Cathedral is mentioned he warms a little.
Lavinia must have sent you to replace the strange little Grippi. He was a competent healer, if a little judgmental. Sorry to see him go, but glad we are getting you two to help My name is Justified. This is Moira and Ignius. We have it on good authority that there is a passage under this shot and leading into some kind of hideout. There should be a way down in here somewhere. We've just arrived and have not yet begun to look. And you know the deal: Vanthus is not to be hurt bad. He's gotta come out alive.
"You believe Vanthus is involved with the Lotus Dragons somehow? Interesting." Graythan pulls the hood of his cloak down, revealing an unkempt shock of short, dark hair atop his head and ears that are pointed in a noticably un-elven manner. His eerily piercing blue eyes scan through room briefly before falling back on Moira, "Any luck finding anything that might suggest a hideout here?"
Shrugging Ignius turns to the new arrivals. "I for one found Grun to be respectful and competent." Sighing the older magi gestures towards them. "Considering we have been attacked shortly after locating this place and nearly killed on an abandoned island, I tend to believe that this is the correct location. However how do we know you both are as you say? Our foes have set ambushes before. I wish I was not so paranoid, but there you have it." Frowning the man rubs his beard thoughtfully. "Did our employer provide some proof of validity?"
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Moira moves over to the new comers. She walks over to Rast, seductively shaking her hips, and begins to sniff the air around the cleric. "Hey handsome...what took you so long in coming into my life?" The young rogue begins to overly bat her eyelashes.
She then walks over to Gray and sniffs the air around him as well. "oh My....I have 2 more boy toys to play with. My day is improving."
The weird young rogue heads back to Justified saying, "Hey boss, they smell ok but I would suggest that they take a bath."
With a friendly smile, the half-eared half elf accepts Moira's advances without lifting a finger before saying, "That would be the smell of the sea on my form, something that any Ospremite wears with pride. I understand your trepidations, for we were told your description but you not ours. HoweverI can speak plainly the name of Lavinia Vanderboren, who asked the Cathedral for assistance. If that is not enough, I take my duty seriously and to prove that I be not a street thug..." Taking the medallion in hand, Rast steps to within thirty feet of Justified and states, "If you will permit." before intoning, "Osprem, Lady of the Waves, ensure the travels of your flock and those they travel with are done safely so that they may arrive at their destination." Though it was a blessing common for sending off ships, a sea breeze with the accompanying smell of salt fills the air around Rast, enveloping all in the area with a cooling sensation that eased any wounds felt. While those uninjured only felt the cooling breeze, Justified's pain noticeably lessons and his wound visibly mend.
Moira starts to jump and clap her hands. She then bounces back between Justified and Ignius. "That was cool. Can we keep him?....Pleeeaaassssseee."
"Troublesome places, back alleys." Ignoring the half elf's blatant flirtations, Graythan's left hand disappears into a pouch on his belt and emerges a moment later, tossing a small object through the air to Ignius. Lavinia's signet ring, the very same one recently recovered from the Blue Nixie, lands lightly in the aged man's hand. "Proof enough? Lavinia sent us. She'll want that back, though." He settles back then, hooking his left thumb on his belt. "Can we get down to business and find Vanthus now or do you need more credentials?"
Though they hadn't spent much time working together, Rast had spent enough time with Graythan during the man's visits to the Azure Cathedral to be accustomed to the mans gruff nature. "Yes, that is what he are here for. To be certain, we were told that Miss Vanderboren want's here brother unharmed if possible, yes? Any information that might help us catch up, so to speak, would be welcome." The half-elf's speech didn't seem to fit the clip-eared, smelling of sea salt image before you. Those that spent anytime in the Azure District however, would know that clerics of Osprem take pride in their enunciation to help be better understood no matter who they might talk with.
Nodding softly, the elder man examines the ring closely. Yes, that appears to be the same one. I for one am willing to accept this turn of events. I wasn't aware that our employer had other resources at her disposal, but considering we are short handed, I happy for the help. Eyes turning towards Moria, Ignius frowns. Perhaps not appropriate my dear. Sighing, the man turns and looks at the room in greater detail. Did you find anything of note?
All the racket has drawn the attention of the proprietor of this fine establishment. A tall, finely dressed man steps out of a back workroom and coughs politely to draw your attention.
"Nemien Roblach at your service. Are you looking to pick up or drop off?
Moira approaches Justified and Ignius and whispers "I think I found something....trap door in the back."
Graythan steels his silver-blue eyes on Nemien, then narrows them as he focuses intently on the shopkeeper. His stare is a little unsettling in its intensity, but it also seems to be something the gruff bounty hunter has learned to turn to his advantage. He seems about to speak, but cuts himself off as Justified strides forward.
Nemien smiles winningly and clasps Justified's hand.
"The pleasure's mine, I'm sure. Well, then Mr. Justified, what service can Sassarine's finest taxidermit's shop help you with today?'
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Playing it straight, Justified continues You are going to have a hard time believing this Mr. Roblach, but there is a criminal group operating under our very feet in our fair city, and we have it on very good authority that there is a passage leading into their den in this very shop. A young man is in danger and his sister has asked that we try to help him. I ask that you allow us to pass through the passage we believe to be hear to render that aid. He regards the man is he has asked the more reasonable of requests.
Graythan maintains his unnerving stare as he continues to regard Nemien throughout the exchange.
Rast simple stands int eh shop casually, but non the less, guaging the reaction of the shop keeper to the news that he might have an opening to a bandit den in his shop.
"Well undoubtably the city is infested with criminals of all sorts and I have no doubt that they lurk even beneath our feet, but I highly doubt that there is any connection between those sort and my shop. Now, if your not paying customers, I would ask that you leave."
While the others speak to the shopkeeper the young rogue will make her way towards the trap door, moving as silently as she can.
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Trying to look taken back by the request Justified responds But good sir, we only wish to help our friend. Surely you would not begrudge us the chance to do that? And this is your chance to show us, and the guard we can fetch that you are not connected with the criminal group and did not even know they were using your shop for access into their hide out. The grip on his weapon tightens slightly.
Graythan growls, "We don't have time for this," as he steps forward, his lips pulled tight and eyes narrowed in growing irritation. His voice comes out harsh and full of gravel, "You can either show us to the passage we already know is here and let us get on with our work, or I'll be forced to assume you're deliberately slowing us down. I don't take kindly to being toyed with, Nemien. Show us what you're hiding and they'll be no hard feelings."
Sensing that there wasn't complete truth to the man's words, Rast ponders for a moment what he could do to reveal the man's lie. Stepping forward, the cleric takes a slightly different approach from his comrade, "You really shouldn't lie. You haven't the skill for it. Now I doubt you foolish enough to believe that this city doesn't have any criminals in it and even I believe that there are criminal elements above and below these streets. Therefore, I can only assume the untruth you speak is in your doubt as to a connection between criminals and your shop. As such, I suggest you stand aside. Otherwise, we will be forced to do as my comrade says and bring the guard in to help in searching for our patron's missing brother."
Nemien pales visibly, "But, she'll kill me if she finds out. You'll go down. They'll kill you and then she'll come for me. They'll destroy my shop and ruin my family. I can't let that happen."
"Just hit him in the head and knock him out. That way the gang would realize that he wasn't siding with us. Toss some things around to show signs of a struggle happened. At this time she gives away her position, really close to the trap door. "Does a girl have to think of everything?"
"Oh by the way....before you get knocked out...is there a secret knock for entrance?"