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Ahhhhhh! That feels good.
"Well Fhingle, you are just full of surprises. Didn't know you could do that. And nice shot with that rock."
Saul gathers up all the easily accessible gear. Nice-- manacles. These could certainly come in handy.
Saul recalls that the Victocora estate was the one noble house that was burned down during the Night of Ashes, but he couldn't figure out why their house was targeted. And then here is a Victocora noble, getting a beat down from the government supporters! I need to talk to him. He must have information for us; at least a few puzzle pieces in this increasingly complex picture.
"Let's get off the street! Saul Gibson, private investigator. A pleasure, sir. But the coffeehouse...? It is a pretty creepy spot. Oh fine. Let's go."
Meliandri looks over the alleyway, nodding slowly as she cleans off her rapier on a Chelsih Citizen's shirt before sheathing it. She shakes a bit as she offers her hand to Rexus, then to Jhen. "M-Meliandri." She takes a deep breath and shuts her eyes. "We should certainly get off the street. The coffee'ouse could work."
It is a long walk from the Opera House, but with the brutal end of the protest it is best to be far away from that spot for now. On the way everyone processes the intense experiences from this morning and all keep mostly to themselves. Once you are at the coffeehouse and got a seat in a corner away from the entrance, Rexus adresses you "Thank you again for that timely rescue. I'm sure I would be dead too, if you hadn't intervened."
He continues to properly introduce himself. "My name is Rexus Victocora, and until last week’s Night of Ashes, I was one of this city’s nobles. My parents’ estate burned to the ground that night - I escaped simply because I was studying at the Alabaster Academy during the fire. There were other fires that night, as you know - fires that many believe were started by Barzillai Thrune or his agents in an attempt to squash any spirit of rebellion Kintargo might have."
"Now more than ever we need that spirit of rebellion to stay strong, but Thrune’s actions have driven into hiding those who would stay strong and resist. Those who could once rally the city to a cause, such as Lord-Mayor Jilia Bainilus and my parents, are missing at best, and are more likely dead. You have shown, that you oppose the reign of this Thrune and are willing and able to stand up to those who support him. I like to show you something. I'll just fetch my mothers coffer."
He leaves to one of the back rooms of the coffeehouse and returns with a small coffer. He puts it down, opens it and takes a note out of it. Checking once more, that no one is listening in on the conversation he reads it. "My dearest son, If you are reading this, what I have feared has come to pass and I am dead. For many years, I have belonged to the Sacred Order of Archivists and have worked to free Kintargo from Chelish rule. I have learned much about Kintargo’s secret history, and fear the time will soon come when the city needs the return of its Silver Ravens. You have likely not heard of the Silver Ravens - few have. Mentions of them have been redacted by the agents of House Thrune, but during the civil war, the Ravens worked to ensure Kintargo’s safety. They were heroes in their day, and I fear that Kintargo needs their kind again. Do not believe the government’s claims that Lord-Mayor Bainilus abandoned us! Darker things are afoot, and I fear that all who work against Thrune may find themselves in danger in the days ahead. The Silver Ravens maintained numerous hideouts within Kintargo’s walls during the civil war. I have located one such site - the chambers below a building known today as the Fair Fortune Livery. If you are reading this, I was unable to seek further answers there myself. Gather heroes to your side, my son, and search below the livery. There, if my research is correct, you will find something to teach you more of the Silver Ravens and their legacy. Do not let my death be in vain. Stand up for Kintargo. Bring the Silver Ravens back to life!"
Putting the note down for you to check he continues "I cannot do this on my own, but with the aid of talented citizens such as yourselves, I have hope that we can. Will you aid Kintargo? Will you save the city from the devil?"
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Saul collapses in a chair and calls out for some coffee. "Coffee, black like my soul, dear Laria." This place is getting decidedly less creepy. Is Laria sheltering the government's most-wanted-list?
Saul responds to Rexus. "I'm sorry to hear about your parents, Mac. You've been living here in this coffeehouse the past week? I'm with you. I'll go to the Livery with you. My time of inaction is up and I am here to help. You don't know a man by the name of Logan Hawkes, do you? "
"And Fhingle, good halfling, could you hit me with another one of those power bursts that feel so good? Should have known there was more to you than a creepy smile."
Salonius speaks little still a shocked by his injury, but before leaving he does snatch up Peeko preventing the thrush murdering a downed thug.
"I could really use some healing if anyone is able to offer it," he says, collapsing into a chair, pale faced and exhausted.
"My commiserations Rexus. You study at the Academy? I think I might recognise you in passing... At any rate, Salonius Barrida - you might know one, or more of my sisters, there are rather a lot of them." He shakes his head and rubs his temple, gritting his teeth.
"I am not one for pain, and discover I dislike it greatly, but some things are worth great risk. I have long been fascinated by the Silver Ravens, and from what little I know of them their revival is exactly what Kintargo needs, you can count me, and Peeko, my familiar, in."
Jhen listened to story that Rexus shared with the group and concludes, I don't think Thrune is going to open the Opera without a little prodding.
He looks around the table, "In for a copper in for a crown. I'll help if you'll have me."
You see the hope that starts shining in Rexus' face. "That is wonderful. I already feared for the worst, that my mothers work and her sacrifices were for naught, but together we will start a force!..." Rexus proclaims with a raised fist. Which looks a bit silly with this sickly looking noble.
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"Fhingle, friend, think you can hit me with one of your magic touches, too? You'll have to tell me more about how you can even do that. It is amazing..."
"I do want to help you, Mac. But let's take it slow and cautious like. I could go scout it out, see what's what, before we all go. Anyone else wanna come?"
knowledge local on the livery. Where is it, what was it used for.
"Thank you Fhingle, that is much better. Maybe I was a tad overzealous rushing out front there, Color Spray is a somewhat risky endeavour, though undeniably effective."
Turning to Saul he nods, "I will come, I actually have a little experience with moving stealthily if need be, Peeko can give us an early warning from above if there is any perspective trouble, and if all else fails I still have a Charm spell prepared..."
Fhingle moves to the middle of the group and channels again.
Fhingle moves around looking at peoples wounds and making sure they are closed.
"What is a livery?" Fhingle asks sincerely
Jhen nods his head in agreement with Sauls idea about using caution, "I'm in."
Caught up in thoughts about the confontation in the alleyway he almost misses the small halfling's question, "A livery is stable Fhingle."
Jhen sits drinking his tea ruminating on what they agreed to do for Rexus. A few seconds after he explained to Fhingle what a livery is he recalls rumors about a haunted stable and shares, "Was a rumor about some haunted stables in Redroof. Not that I be believing such nonsense."
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Saul stands up and puts down the coffee. "Let me and Jhen scout out the Livery. We won't go in, just put some eyeballs from the outside and talk to the neighbors. The rest of you, take it easy, we'll be back."
To Jhen he says, "Let's avoid the main roads. Blood is still high from protest, and I don't want to run into those goons we just put down. Hopefully they forget our faces soon enough."
Saul departs for the Livery, and once there, will examine it from a distance, trying not to look suspicious.
Fhingle is happy that people are happy with him, he goes about getting drinks and tending to everyone
This aged stable leans slightly to one side, its roof precariously propped up by aged wooden walls. With the wind comes some air that reeks of stale urine.
It can't be too bad, as the abandoned building stands at a corner between a run down tenement and a tailor's/second hand shop.
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Saul strolls into the nearby tailor's store and slaps down a silver on the counter. "Tell me, Mac, how long has that stable next door been abandoned like that? Ever see any activity over there? I thinking about buying some horses and need a place to keep them. Thinking about renting out some space there from the owner."
"Haha, what owner? Tis thing's abandoned ever since the war!" the old woman, probably of varisian heritage laughs.
"You should get the ghosts out that haunt the stables, or your horses might be scared to death when you come in the morning." She pilfers the coin from the counter.
"I've seen nothing, but there are noises at night." The woman says suggestive.
The woman leans closer to Saul, her hand on the counter. "At day there are some stray dogs there, but at night, even they leave. You sear strange noises, like when screaming cats would use words. And when a night is especially silent, you can hear the muffled sound of a flute." she tells half whispering as if not wanting to anger someone by saying it aloud. She stands upright again, and with her hand gone from the counter, so is the coin.
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Saul steps back, a little disturbed by the spooky images. I was not expecting that. That was... very specific. And I thought the coffeehouse was creepy.
Saul nods at her and leaves. Speaking to Jhen and Salonius on the street, he says,"I'm not sure what I think about that, Mac. Your impressions of what the old dame had to say?"
Salonius follows Saul listening carefully as the investigator does his thing, and contemplating what might account for such a set of circumstances.
"Has nobody attempted to turn in these stray dogs for Thrune's coin?" He asks, looking to Saul, and then to the tailor.
Some kind of ghost, or perhaps our Silver Raven's hidey hole is not so abandoned as Rexus imagines? Or both."
"Go there and see if you find a dog worth of the 2 silver." The woman replies crossing er arms. "And if you make it out alive, you come and tell me that I'm wrong." she adds with a offended stare.
"Ahhh, my apologies Madam, I did not mean to insinuate you were incorrect. I only wondered if there was a reason for it, please forgive me if I have caused any offence," Salonius says anxiously.
"If you can give us a rough idea of their numbers it would be most appreciated."
"I'm sure there are half a dozen dogs over there." she replies in this confiding whispering tone that carries suspense.
"Could I ask for your assessment of these strays Madam? Would they be likely to flee if we entered, or are they vicious? I am more at home with plants than beasts, truth be told, so I would value any advice you are willing to proffer."
"If I were you' I'd be worried about the ghosts!"
"Thank you for the information Madam, I wish you a profitable day. Saul are you satisfied? Or did you have more questions?"
If Saul is done Salonius follows him outside and suggests, "I say we send Peeko in there, with stealth and height he ought to be able to avoid any hounds and give us a clear picture of what we might face. If evicting the hounds is tenable then we might do so now with a little planning."
Provided Saul, and Jhen have no objections Salonius sends Peeko into the stable with instructions to be sneaky, and stay out of reach of any hound.
Peeko chirps affirmatively and flies up onto the dilapidated roof taking his time searching for a means of entry. If he finds one he makes use of it to move stealthily in, otherwise he simply flits in and rushes into the crossbeams overhead to hide.
if he remains unassaulted he takes a few minutes to survey the stable and its occupants.
Peeko finds four mutts running around in the stable. Two fight over a dead rat. Another one is busy chasing another rat. And the last one barks at Peeko.
Safe amidst the rafters Peeko glares down imperiously, "Shut up you stupid mutt! Peeko is a familiar you stinky arse licking mongrel! Peeko is a familiar! You are a bag of fleas! Stupid dog! Peeko is rich! You are a poor! Peeko is rich! Ahahahaha!"
His point made the thrush shoots out, taking care to stay amidst the rafters and ensuring he takes a roundabout route to avoid drawing vengeful hounds towards his fragile Master.
"Master, also Saul, and whoever the heck this guy is, Peeko was brave and found four mangey dogs and a rat! Peeko is brave! the stupid dog barked at Peeko, but Peeko told him waht was what! Peeko told him!"
With all done that can be investigated without going in, you decide to go back to the Longroad Coffeehouse to let Rexus and the others in on what you found. And to decide when and how you'll take your next steps.
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"I'm satisfied, thanks, S."
Once Peeko returns, and the group returns to the coffeehouse, Saul comments,"If there is a basement there, that means a trap-door, since it doesn't sound like there are stairs. I think we should go back tomorrow morning, get rid of the dogs, and search through the straw and what-not until we find the way down. If it is there, we go right in. During the day. I certainly am not interested in doing anything here at night. I'll take dogs over ghosts every time. Even three-headed devil dogs."
Saul turns to Fhingle. "You have any experience with ghosts? Strikes me that you might, given your divine abilities that you surprised us all with."
"Mmmm, that will allow me to prepare a fresh set of spells. What do we plan to do with the dogs? I do not wish to hand them over to Thrune, and if we are to make use of the base they might make a useful cover, but they would also be a hinderance... Perhaps we could chain them? Otherwise I fear we would need to kill them."
Salonius says, circling around the unhappy thought of killing the poor beasts.
"I don't know much about ghosts, more about Devils. I can maybe help I heard that some of the spells I can use hurt ghosts and undead."
"Pehaps a cage of some sort for the dogs," Jhen suggests.
"Aren't they worth money as well?' Fhingle asks as he refills drinks.
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"I hate to hurt an mindless creature. How about you cast that rainbow blast that you did earlier, Salonius? Knock em all out at then we leash em up. A cage, if we can fine one, Jhen. Afterwards... Huh. I dunno. Laria, would you like a couple of guard dogs? Like five of them? I agree with S, I don't want to sell them to the Thune; we would probably have to fight them again next week!"
"Can we get a dog Laria? I would take good care of it." Fhingles eyes go huge at the though, "My master never let me have anything."
"You want to drag in some flea bag into my tidy coffeehouse? Forget it. Not even half one." Laria replies as she comes by.
"I fear killing them is the most appropriate solution, though I dislike it. Thrune will probably turn them into monsters, whether figuratively or literally, and we have no means of caring for them," The botanist concludes unhappily.
"And yes, I can use another color spray, though can someone please move in front of me immediately after, I have no defences and do not wish to come as close to death as last time"
"Better death then whatever use Thrune will put them too," Jhen reluctantly agrees with Salonius. Trying to allay the man's fears he pats his hand and assures him, "No need to worry I will be close and my sword will watch over you."
He finishes his tea and try's to stifle a yawn once they have established a meeting place he will retire to the room he rents.
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"Meet up at my place tomorrow morning? I have an office on Scrag Street in Old Kintargo with my name on it, "Gibson Investigations." It isn't far from Redroof and the livery. Now, no one get themselves arrested tonight by being out past curfew, am I right?"
He looks right at Meli. "We have bigger fish to fry, and we need to appear like we are walking the line."
Saul grabs his longspear and heads off home.
Tomorrow will be an interesting day. I didn't start this thing, but it is up to me to finish it.
Rexus notes down the address and says farewell to those that are leaving.
With Saul making a start, everyone but Fhingle gets ready to leave. Meliandri heads back to Lucca's place. On her way she gets worried how Lucca made it out of the protest, but the worry is short lived, as she is at home. They exchange stories and have a 'my day was cooler than your day' contest.
Fhingle finds a huge stack of dishes in the kitchen. Laria didn't cut him some slack, she just has enough china to wait for him to finally start working.
Salonius walks home, visits the orchard, and takes care of his professor. Also he gets nagged all evening by Peeko who needs another one of his thousand-hundreds of worms to have the strength for fighting the dogs tomorrow. Mostly with words and from the top of the beams, but still.
Jhen retreats to his rented penthouse - an attic chamber with one small window - where he studies the text of the drama he would have played in, if the opera wasn't closed.
Finally the evening moves on to become night and Kintargo falls into a deep slumber as no one dares to be out during the curfew.
The new day greets all with steel blue sky and sunshine. The city wakes late, but a significant number of citizens put on their good clothes to pay at least lip service at the church of Asmodeus.
Jhen arrives first at Saul's, with Meliandri and Salonius coming shortly after and Fhingle coming late together with Rexus. Laria didn't let Fhingle go before all the customers for breakfast were gone and everything cleaned up again.
As everyone sits in church and the streets are empty again, the group leaves. To not draw attention they split up and move two and two on slightly different ways to meet up in front of the Fair Fortune Livery.
As soon as you meet in the yard in front of the building, to be away from the street and out of sight of nosy neighbors, two dogs come barking to the entrance, baring their teeth.
This aged stable leans slightly to one side, its roof precariously propped up by aged wooden walls. The large double doors are slightly ajar, enough for the dogs to move through easily but not enough to look into the dark inside of the building from where you're standing.