"Yeah, we're fine, thanks for asking, Venture Captain," Spasi replies with scorn after the VC leaves earshot.
Do they care about our lives at all?
Spasi aids Bibic in retrieving the items from the pee box, happy to dump the contents onto the carpet then fish out the valuables for Prestidigitation. While he cleans, his mind works to solve other problems.
"Anyone want this ring?"
Know (Local)
Sczarni? Those scumbags. Good thing they aren't allowed in the Society.
"We got to go to find this Amazing Zograthy fellow, huh? I might have a lead on that," Spasi notes.
With Bibic's cleansing of the contents complete, Clement peers into the box, anxious to inform Rhesus about its contents.
"Some gems and some rings. Not bad, right?"
Returning his shield onto his back, Clem considers Miss Heidmarch's offer.
"And a thousand gold if we return this Natalya to her for questioning! I never realized joining the Society could be so profitable!"
Turning to Spasi, Clem smiles at him as well.
"I'm truly blessed by the angels of Magnimar to be in such great company - Spasi here has a lead for us already! Should we get that magic ring identified first? Or go straight to Zograthy?"
on the ring.
Bibic holds up the ring, "It's a ring that keeps you from falling great distances. Or rather keeps you from landing harshly from those distances." he looks to the group, "Anyone interested?"
Spasi shakes his head at Bibic.
"It's not for me, but certainly could fetch a fair price if we need the money."
Spasi takes another look in the box, then at the destruction caused by the gremlins and their bloody bodies still oozing ichor onto the floors.
"Is no one going to care for this place? Hmmm...well, no matter, we have a job to do. Let's get after that," Spasi steps lightly as he goes trying to avoid getting any mess on his shoes.
* * *
On the outside of the Lodge, he'll speak up again.
"We'll need to the Amazing Zograthy and he's probably near where the Sczarni hang out. I might know where that is, or we might need to ask around to find it."
Know (local) Sczarni hangouts
Gather Info/Diplo (the Amazing Zograthy)
Following Sheila's suggestion you go in search of the Amazing Zograthy in Washer's Row, a tangle of open-air washhouses, launderers, and Varisian wagons and tents.
At the southern end of Washers' Row, a tattered banner hanging over the entrance to the small side street advertises "Professor Callivario's Stupendous Exhibition of the Outrageous and Sublime." Beyond this overly exuberant advertisement is a squalid setup consisting of little more than a series of rundown sideshow booths and carts with assorted games and amusements of the meaner sort. To one side, urchins pitch pennies at lily pads floating in a small, scum-covered fountain while a bored carnie looks on. Nearby, the sound of cats hissing and fighting arises from behind a cart where a small crowd of ne'er-do-wells has gathered to cheer and place bets. Everywhere lurk faces pinched with suspicion or hunger expressions worn by carnival workers and visitors alike. This is not the sort of place to be careless with a coin pouch.
A few inquiries point you towards the abode of the Amazing Zograthy, Seer of the Dark, a small, well-patched tent crudely painted with mystical symbols and decorated with chicken bones and other oddments.
Within the stuffy, cluttered tent is a table covered in blue velvet stitched with moons, stars, and arcane symbols. A dusty crystal ball and a dog-eared harrow deck sit upon it. Behind this table sits an aged, bald, Varisian man with threadbare purple robes and piercing eyes-the one and only Amazing Zograthy.
At your approach, he gestures broadly and states in a tremulous voice,"The Amazing Zograthy sees all and knows all. A double fist of silver for a turn of the cards or a vision in the crystal; a treble fist of gold for the secrets of the multiverse."
Noya notices something about Zograthy and thinks
"Great, The Amazing Zograthy has telltale signs of a Pesh addiction."
"Greetings my good man, and well met indeed. We have need of a fortune told in fact, yes yes."
Bibic walks up to the Amazing Zograthy and stands next to the chair across from him. He dusts off the chair, but doesn't sit down.
"We need a fortune. Unfortunately the recipient is not among us, you see that's the problem. She's vanished." he gestures to the chair as if there were someone in it.
He places 5gp on the table. "Can you tell us of her last day and what she's done since disappearing?"
He places an additional 5gp on the table in another pile, "Perhaps even, oh great one, where she is now?"
"Her name is Natalya Yancaskerkin, and she's been missing just a few days. It is oh so important we find her you see, and we understand that you can see through the thin veil of our reality... and you know people."
Clem considers the fortune-teller's offer - three fists of silver for the secrets of the multiverse!
He gives Rhesus a long look to see if the cloaked Shoanti would be as interested in the secrets as he is, but hesitates when Bibic quickly gets to the point regarding their search for Natalya.
"Yes, Mister Amazing. We're heroes, well at least Rhesus here is, and we need to find Natalya. Please help us!"
Spasi says little to the Seer, but does spend time staring at Clem's back as he proclaims them to be heroes.
Heroes? Heroes? We've smushed some gremlins then looted their pee soaked treasury. Hardly heroic...but maybe Pathfinders have *really* low standards.
What can this fool tell us?
Rhesus winces as Clement once again calls attention to him, but listens attentively as the more loquacious members of the group tease information out of the seer.
Zograthy leans back in his rickety chair and says,"Aaaah... Secrets! Perhaps my greatest trade!"
He suddenly drops the act and gives you a flat look.
"Information can get a man killed around here. 50gp on the table and then maybe we will talk about little Natalya."
Noya adds
"What about 25 gold upfront, but the other 25 gold only comes if the information you give is true.
Given that you use Pesh and could be hallucinating an answer."
Spasi scratches one of the long-festering mosquito bites while he nods to Bibic.
Give him the money. We need answers.
"How can I refuse such a pretty lady, 25 up fron then. Natalya is missing, as are many folk along the waterfront, both here in Beacon's Point and over in Dockway and Underbridge. A few have been disappearing each week many simply vanishing out of their very beds at night. I would suspect that Natalya befell the same fate. Since only poor Varisians and other destitute folk are being targeted, the city hasn't devoted much effort to investigate these disappearances. What I do know is that these disappearances are not a Sczarni plot, as they seem quite interested in solving the vanishings themselves. The leading theory on the street is that the vanished folk are the victims of slavers who then secretly sell them offshore at night to Nidalese ships, but I wouldn't put much stock in such rumours"
He leans forward and continues in a hushed tone,
"What I can say is that, Natalya, at least until recently, ran with the Tower Girls, a small group of cat burglars. I have heard that they are themselves searching for Natalya, and word is that when they find her, she'll be in deep trouble. I don't know exactly what is going on with them but word on the street is that Natalya went mad before she disappeared."
"That's quite a fanciful answer. It would be a shame if it's true of course, but what assurances do we have that you're telling us the truth? Can you at least tell us how to contact these 'Tower Girls' in a way that won't cause us to lose our heads?"
Bibic is not trying to be offensive, just questioning the veracity of our contact a little.
to maintain friendly relations.
to catch him lying
to know anything about these disappearances.
to know anything about the Tower Girls.
Know (Local) Tower Girls
Spasi listens, worried about having a good lead on Natalya.
We should pick up some saps in case she won't come wilingly, Spasi thinks, making a mental note.
She replies to Zograthy
"Thank you for your information and the compliment, good sir."
she replies to Bibic
"I don't think we can talk to the "Tower Girls" unless we can catch one."
Clement considers Zograthy's words, wondering how likely it would be a coincidence that "slavers" would kidnap Natalya when she was closing in on a relic that the Pathfinders would be interested in.
Keeping his arms crossed, he nods towards Rhesus and then to Bibic, who seems to have matters well in hand in terms of questioning.
"It's not my place to give Sczarni secrets to gorgios such as you. If that is all, it is time for you to go."
"Fair enough - you've been most helpful, thank you."
Bibic prepares to leave after politely shoving the still empty chair under the table.
Once the party is a little away from the information dealer Bibic says, "I've heard that the Nadalese slavers do their business every midnight at an old boarded up shoreline tavern in Dockway. Do you want to head down there tonight and see what there is to see?"
Know (Local)
Spasi almost makes a connection, but fails to put pieces together.
"We should do that, Bibic. But perhaps we should arm ourselves with weapons that do not kill. It's possible that when we find Natalya she won't come willingly," Spasi makes the sappy-sappy-sleepy gesture with his hand.
If no one wants to buy nonlethal stuff, Spasi will follow Bibic to the Dockway.
Rhesus scratches himself where the new armor itches.
Wish I could've broken this in first.
"Maybe we could ask around for the Tower Girls? They sound like fun."
Clement bobs his head at the suggestion by Rhesus to ask around.
"Oh, absolutely! I'd be happy to ask around!"
As soon as they depart Zograthy's, Clement walks up to the nearest passerby and begins his inquiries.
"Hey! Do you know where we could find the Tower Girls?"
He gives Rhesus a nod.
"They sound like fun!"
Noya thoughts on Clement method of finding the Tower Girls
That's not a smart way to find out, most won't give the answer you seek, or a false one.
After tiring of watching Clem assault passersby for information, Spasi clears his throat.
"Maybe we could get a drink or two? Perhaps at this bar Bibic mentioned? The Dockway? Sounds nice. I've just recovered from last night and could partake again. I'm sure it will be different than last night."
Following up on the slaver rumours, you go to the supposed night time rendezvous point, an old abandoned tavern. The tavern was once known as the Puffy Pelican-a faded painting of a fat pelican still graces the facade of the empty building, and the building's back features a half-collapsed wooden deck that hangs over the high-tide mark.
"Now what are we going to do? Shop? Drink before we drink?" Spasi asks, bored.
If nothing else happens, Spasi will find a spot to do some reading and thinking upon Pathfinder business. True to his interests, he will read a bit on the differences betwixt demons, daemons, and devils, trying to parse the exact malevolent energies that differentiate the three.
All of them are different faces to the same core, aren't they?
* * *
When he tires of reading, Spasi will look over the magic stalls for trinkets of interest, knowing that most items are well outside of his price point.
* * *
Spasi will be outside the Dockway at a few minutes after sundown, keeping watch and laying low.
"Yeap. I plan to sell this ring and pick up a few things for tonight. Meet you near the Dockway an hour or so after sunset. Remember, they don't do the trade until midnight I think, so we have lots of time to check the place out early."
Bibic spends the day shopping and just listening in to various conversations. People watching. He picks up his arrows and other things (see OOC post) and then just moves about the market place.
He will spend the later part of the afternoon digging up information about the Tower Girls if possible.
After a fruitless attempt to learn his own name by asking people on the street, he'll look for a decent pub near the Dockway to have dinner and wait with a pint or two before meeting the others and investigating in earnest.
Noya will go with Bibic shopping and hit the local Taverns and Bars for information.
"Drinking? Sounds good to me!"
Rhesus enjoys himself immensely at the tavern, drinking ale and feasting on meat.
"Why do they call them buffalo wings? Buffalo don't have wings. Does that make sense to you Clem? It doesn't make sense to me. More ale!"
The muscles on Rhesus neck do their best to scare any small children in the area, and the table gives a noticeable groan whenever a fist the size of a gnome slams an empty tankard down.
"Spasi! Does this ale taste like it was soaked in that box we opened? I think one of the little devils might be in the back room."
"I don't know why they call them buffalo wings. I'm not even sure buffaloes even exist. I heard that they were a mad experiment done by a crazed wizard to combine a bullette, a stench kow, and a dire gopher. I'm sure they are terrifying to behold," Spasi opines.
Spasi puts down his drink, checking the time.
"You think we should find the party and get to the Dockway now?"
Clement refuses any offer where he is not paying for Rhesus' drink, and quickly comments on the Shoanti's thoughts on buffaloes.
"If they did have wings, I'm sure a Shoanti would know. I'll add this to my list of things you've asked me to research, Rhesus!"
Clem works his backpack into his lap and begins digging around for parchment and a pen, completely oblivious to anything else he should be paying attention to.
Scribbling his thoughts, he adds Spasi's along with his own and makes a quick sketch of a bullette/stench kow/gopher hybrid with vicious fangs and wings.
"Almost looks like a furry dragon. Something for the next trip to the library, eh?"
Realizing that Rhesus mug is running empty, Clem beckons to the waitress to fill it, chastising her for fraternizing with other customers at his expense while somehow seeming to keep Bibic's full.
"Well, with all the questions we've been asking around town, I'm sure the Tower Girls know we're looking for them by now..."
Before leaving, Clement grabs one of the beer-stained napkins from the pub's table and tucks it away in his "special" bag.
Yes! Another piece!
On hearing Spasi from across the pub, Bibic gathers his things (and his pint) and joins him.
"Yes, yes, I suppose we should head out. One does not want to keep slavers waiting."
He quickly drains his drink and checks that his bow is ready before carefully placing it over his shoulder.
I really need to get a better one of these. One with some pull to it!
Bibic heads toward the abandoned pub looking for the other party members.
With Clem and Bibic and Rhesus (and hopefully Noya) in tow, Spasi makes way to the Dockway, looking things over.
Perception
"Hey, Bibic! See that light...do you think we should go in? Clem, you feel like getting your hands dirty?"
"Yes, we should go in. How high do we bid for the woman if we see her - or do we just fight our way to her and take her?"
"I'm not a big fan of slavers, but I bet they have some heavy guards about."
Bibic checks his arrow supply and wishes for better quivers. These won't last a long fight...
Spasi worries about slavers, but tries not to show it.
"Maybe we should go in like we're drunk and don't know what we're doing...in case this is the wrong spot with the wrong people..." Spasi burps and wonders if drinking before an assignment was a good idea, especially after last night definitely proved that fact already.
"You go in first, I'll be right behind you Rhesus."
Get my hands dirty?
Clem stares Spasi in the eyes for several moments, wondering what the arcanist is suggesting.
"Ah! To better grip by shield, of course!"
Kneeling, he presses his palms to the dirt and makes semi-circles first clockwise then counterclockwise and tests his grip on his shield.
Nodding back to Spasi, he leans in and whispers.
"Truly, I think you've struck onto one of Rhesus' secrets -- being a little dirty helps him fight like a raging buffalo."
Standing tall, he appraises the others.
"So, should we go knock?"
Spasi thinks back to his Pathfinder training and draws a blank, remembering that he accepted a field commission not so long ago and had no formal Pathfinder training.
"Uhm...we should just kick in the door, right? Isn't that what Pathfinders do?" Spasi looks to Noya who might have an answer.
Clem appears concerned.
"Kick in the door? What are we? Barbarians?"
Looking about, his eyes widen when he realizes he may have insulted Rhesus.
"I mean, not that there's anything wrong with a barbarian, I mean... err, yes! We should kick in the door! Brilliant idea!"
Clem takes a few steps toward the abandoned pub, thinking about the best angle for introducing "Foot" to "Door".
Bibic walks up to the door and tries to open it. If unlocked, he opens it and steps inside. If locked, he knocks loudly.
Turning to the others, "See? Easy! No need to get dirty and sweaty."
The door opens easily and opens into a ruined common room. The room is empty. The light you saw from outside is originating from beyond an open door off to the side of what was once a long bar.
Noya whispers
"Let's not make any noise as we investigate the place, agreed?"
At the suggestion of Noya, Bibic moves quietly into the room, and slowly. He lets the tougher members get to the front as we approach the next door.
Wouldn't do to have the archer in front during battle now would it?
Spasi shrugs and follows Rhesus, Bibic, & Noya into the old bar.
Stealth
Noya advances with the group and keeps a alert for trouble
"A cross between what? That doesn't make any sense. If they were, they'd have wings!"
********************
"Nothing wrong with kicking down the door Clem. Or being a barbarian. My pappy used to say 'Son, the best part of being a barbarian is you get to kick down doors.' Of course, he also used to live in a tent, so I don't really know what he meant."