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Edmund puts his nose into his arm, trying his hardest to avoid the worst of the smell. As the cloud dissipates, he sees several of his companions in various states of illness.
As they slowly recover, he brings the conversation back around to the murders.
"I don't know. You would have thunk that the teiflings would have mentioned missing teeth when they were talking about the murders. While this poor child, bless its heart, may certainly be another victim- I don't think these filthy creatures are the cause of the murders. Tools of terror, quite likely- but not the murders."
Gauging the others thoughts and reactions he continues on.
"Let's give the rest of the building a thorough inspection. Just in case."
"OH! How could we forget... does anyone have any ideas about how to reattach this tooth to Slitheren Kid? I have a wand to heal, but will it fix the tooth too?"
Andor vaguely heard that if a tooth is stolen back from a tooth fairy, it can be re-attached, but that magical curative magic may be required to complete the re-attachment and stop the bleeding.
The bleeding stops and the tooth re-attaches! no more bleeding and swelling!
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After struggling to break free from his uncomfortable predicament, Red finally catches up to the conversations at hand but finds himself a little confused. "So tooth fairy kill tielfling but tooth fairy no responsible?...Rrr?"
After scratching his head, he turns and asks. "Why no check other murder place?..Rrr"
As you return the deceased child to the tiefling community and give him a proper burial, you get a sense of intense gratitude from the entire Devil's Nursery community. Your actions actually go on to inspire the community to help each other in their daily struggles, and several tieflings join your rebellion.
With the help of your funds the community raises funds to a humble memorial in the middle of the district, entitled, "The Nameless Urchin". You make several friends and contacts in the community, and have a standing invitation in the neighbourhood's humble establishments.
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"The gold tooth is a very good donation to the cause, unless of course we would be able to identify it's rightful owner. Either way, I don't think it is ours to keep."
Considering everything that has happened, Edmund reflects back on the murders they came here to solve originally.
"It seems like we ain't any closer to solving these here crimes, than we were when we started. While it is all fine and dandy that we gained some more connections here- I don't feel good about leaving a killer loose. We'll lose all that good will really quick-like."
"I am thinking we should talk to a couple of the other people who found bodies, and see if we can uncover any more useful tidbits."
The tieflings tell you that the bodies have been cremated out of fear of further evil... however, the last victim has not been cremated yet. Zea brings you to the corpse, and you realize that all of its teeth have been removed, which is consistent with the tooth fairies' on a rampage. Everyone in the Devil's Nursery is of the opinion that these crimes have been solved, and you sense that the previous feeling of dread has been replaced by a feeling of community and happiness.
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”This was another step to end the evil that is trying to take hold of this city. These poor souls will be avenged ... and these evil deeds will be punished. Hopefully fast ... but I am here to take them down eventually!“ Andor says with a lot of bitterness in his voice.
”What do you guys think? Have these murders changed anything for you?“
The heroes receive a warm welcome by the tiefling community, and the drinks are flowing. Despite the humble nature of this neighbourhood, you feel as if you are the kings (and queen) of the world. You receive many an offer to... weather the curfew with some of the tieflings so that you may... drink longer behind closed doors! ;)
Whether or not you return to the Long Roads Coffeehouse before curfew, it is a joyous evening, of love, friendship, and brewing rebellion, and it is late the next day before you decide to finally end this mini-vacation.
Upon your return to Laria's, you break the fast and see to the maintenance of your gear, hygiene and other personal matters. Well into the afternoon, soon after you regroup to discuss your next move, a patrol of three dottari arrives to question Laria and make a search of the coffeehouse, displaying an unsigned letter written in tidy script suggesting “suspicious activity and unsavory practices” at the shop as the only warrant they require.
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"My mind is the same as it has always been. Cheliax has always been full of great evil... it is no different now than it was before"
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Following the night of revelry, Edmund reflects on the events that have lead them here. It has been a long while since I have felt at home somewhere, or even welcomed.
Well, whether or not I wish it, I am tied here. That Desna would place me in this company, of pathfinders no less, is sign enough of her blessing.
At the arrival of the dottari patrol, Edmund looks at the rest of the group before reacting. Sitting silently, he drinks from the flagon in front of him- awaiting a cue from Laria.
"An unsigned warrant? Don't sound very chellish to me. What are the chances the laws of this blasted place might be playing in our favor- even just this once."
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Laying on the floor, Kissan rolls over on her side- her tail swishes back and forth over the floor playfully. Her eyes, however, track the new arrivals as they move about the Long Road Coffeehouse.
Human on edge. Strangers unwelcome.
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* * * * At the evil tooth fairy location: * * * *
Andor is relieved to see the same dedication that he feels in his heart in his comrades. This will be long road but they will walk this path together.
* * * * At the Tiefling festivities: * * * *
The celebrations in the Tiefling community are very welcome and after a year in Cheliax with all the bad vibes emanating from all over, this is one of the few moments where Andor can relax. Seeing families and lovers come together in a joyous environment reminds him of home ... Tian is so far away.
He also misses his brother and two sisters ... especially Setare. He shakes off the thought that something might have happened to them. A reality he might face in the future as life in the Pathfinder Society is dangerous - but what drew Andor to the Scarab Sages also drew his siblings to this road of knowledge, adventure and silly politics.
He prays to Chaldira! May her lucky grace be with his siblings ... and his comrades here!
* * * * At the Long Roads Coffeehouse: * * * *
Andor waits to see how Laria and the other guests react.
Laria is not there at the moment.
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Andor walks over the dottari, greets them and looks at the unsigned letter.
"Dear gentlemen be assured that the Long Roads Coffeehouse is a law-abiding establishment that is renowned for rabbit stew, fresh croissants, an assortment of jams and it various nut butters. The letter was surely written by a competitor because business is so good - look around and you will see that our guests are enjoying themselves very much."
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"Gentlemen, is there some way I could assist ya'll? I overheard you guys talking about the rabbit stew. It surely is the best in Kintargo. Quite pleased I found this place, if I do say so myself! What's all this fuss about..."
Edmund grabs the warrant and starts to read:
"Unsavory practices? That can't be here. Besides, this isn't even signed! Unless there has been a new decree- I think all official legal documents require a signature from an appropriate overseeing body. I am sure it was just an oversight but... then again, the law is the law- and is to be upheld, right?"
A large dottari guard frowns at Edmund as he shoves the law in the guards' face. However she remains disciplined and merely stares at Edmund with a serious, perhaps slightly angry look on her face.
Addressing Andor once more, the dottari squad leader says, "Based on your testimony Sir, we have no further questions at this time. Of course, we will need a signed written statement from you. I will have a court clerk pick that up before curfew. Have a good afternoon."
Two of the three guards leave, but the large guard makes a point of staying another 30 very long seconds as she stares at Edmund, waiting for one more word to escape his mouth. She then leaves. Slowly. After grabbing a muffin and dropping a silver piece on the counter.
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"Well, we were successful with at least one of them guards. I overheard the left one saying they were wasting their time- and how much he enjoyed the free coffee before night shifts. Thinks it is a student prank of some sort."
Roldala's point is well taken by Edmund.
"I aint sure how long ya'lls have been here, but I think that we might need to ease the pressure on Laria a bit. Perhaps she'll have some idea what we should do next. Certainly we need to make sure that we don't get her arrested (or her basement searched)."
He laughs for a moment, reconsidering the situation. "You know, I get the feelin' that the one guard doesn't like me very much..."
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Andor looks at Red and really appreciates that he didn’t rip their throats out the moment they walked in.
Andor also laughs a little bit at Edmund‘s last comment. ”I think they liked none of us! Roldala is really correct. But where should we go? I think it’s best to stay a while longer and maybe keep a low profile until we find a better place to hide out!“
Andor thinks for a while.
”If you guys do not mind I would like to visit Clenchjaw’s and set up the alchemist lab there for Kardess and I. He will surely want to see it finished when he returns. We could also do some more information gathering in the next days! What do you think?“
The party takes a much needed rest in the following days, helping Kardess setup his lab at Clenchjaw's and taking turns helping Rexus on and off.
Kardess produces a few prototype batches of various stuff.
Andor gathers many leads throughout the city. He even forms a small network of eyes and ears in various neighbourhoods by befriending street performers.
The group also overhears two city workers discuss... a strange matter!
"“Doghousing”, I said!"
"Heard you, fool... but what are you talking about?"
"Le sigh! le major sigh... pay attention dammit! When a prisoner is doghoused, he is put inside of a small wooden dog house, the walls of which have had dozens of nails driven through. The confines inside are incredibly cramped, making it difficult for the doghoused victim to move or shift position without being stabbed by a nail, and making it impossible to stand or lie down. Twice a day, at sunset and sunrise, the victim is allowed out of the doghouse to scavenge for scraps of food and water left by the dottari, but he must contend with two or more feral, ravenous dogs that have been chained in reach of the food—if the victim isn’t quick, the dogs eat the food, but if the victim goes for the food, he’ll likely be bitten at least a few times before he’s forced to seek shelter in the doghouse for another day. Got it?"
"Huh... ok... I guess... still... what does this mean for us? that stupid doghouse has been set up in the middle of southern Aria Park's lily pond- does that mean we don't have to tend that pond anymore?"
...aaand the conversation goes on, and on, as the men prattle about all kinds of uncertainties about their upcoming duties.
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Red's relieved to see the guards leave without causing too much disturbance, but is visibly disappointed no blood was shed as well. Rrrr...
As the day goes by, the inactivity (or lack of a fight as the werecrocodile thinks about it) bores Red that any amount of prospect that might suggest physical work he immediately jumps to! Especially one with doghouses, and guards. "!! Red agree !! ..Rrrr.. Let's go Doghouse destroy!! Rrr...Rrrevolution!" He stands tall with much excitement in his voice.
The group walks by Aria Park and notices the doghousing site is guarded by four militia members. The three men and one woman are assisted by two large mastiffs. The unfortunate captive is on his hands and knees inside a doghouse riddled with nails, his head poking out revealing several bleeding gashes on his forehead and temples, and no doubt several deep punctures at the back of his head and neck. Some of the more sadistic people in the city have shown up early for the spectacle that is to follow around six and a half bells.
You realize there's a few people here, but not so many have gathered yet. Those who did show up are still wandering the park looking at the flowers and other sights- the 'show' is not due to happen until sunset.
What do you do? Map is up
minutes.