"I...I... " Rae looks at her hold on Lisbeth's wrist, frowning at the colors it's turning beneath her grip. Finally, she throws it away with a snort of disgust.
"Respect, Purple. That you don't require it of your patrons may be why your staff can't seem to show it to anyone else, even their children." Rae forces the other hand to release the hammer at her belt. She hadn't even realized she was grabbing it. Slowly, she steps back, allowing cooler heads to converse with this...Person.
One thousand- thousands threads has the Weaver...One-thousand thousand...one...
Sol backs up her sister, like a sister should. She stands slightly less tall than Rae (especially in these shoes), but nonetheless gives glares to Purple.
However, it is intended, Sol's glare still looks too forced and too sweet.
"It is possible that you wanted to thank us for bringing back Meghan? Saving her from the wolves? Maybe you'd do that for Lisbeth, rather than allowing the victim to be hurt further?" Sol suggests sweetly.
Really. No place for children.
Mort notices Ascaria's fluster and doesn't have to imagine of what it was that the poor gnome just caught glimpse.
Not being immune himself to the charms and manners of the employees therein the Midnight Salute, he figures their best bet is to let Pillette hand over Canary's list. He doesn't really see what more can be done here at this point, and she really does have the best chance of being able to walk away.
More importantly, she probably won't cause a scene either.
Raella will have to put aside her ire for now -- something tells him they'll be back. They're certainly not getting in this way for tonight.
Even if they did, he's absolutely certain that they would not all be leaving together.
As soon as Sol speaks, he does the mental equivalent of a face palm.
No good will come of that.
Careful not to look in, he quickly steps in front of The Twins and gently turns the gnome slightly so he at least isn't facing the door anymore.
"Why don't you let Pillette hand Miss Prose the list, Canary. I think that's all we can do for now. At least here, anyway."
He patiently waits for Pillette to make the delivery and get away but stands at the ready in case a scene happens anyway.
"Lazare asked us to find Meghan. We were fortunate enough to find her when we did, for she was nearly dead. A dark force lured her there, ma'am... not 'that boy'. In fact, were it not for his information, we likely never would have found her in time to save her. You should be grateful to have her back at all."
"Yeah! Er, Uh, further, Meghan's injuries were quite possibly infected before I cleaned and healed her leg. She will need to be tended to. I have a list..."
"Respect, Purple. That you don't require it of your patrons may be why your staff can't seem to show it to anyone else, even their children."
"It is possible that you wanted to thank us for bringing back Meghan? Saving her from the wolves? Maybe you'd do that for Lisbeth, rather than allowing the victim to be hurt further?"
Purple Prose waits for each response patiently enough.
"You, you're called Tynan, correct? Well, it's good to know Lazare still has the good will to assemble help." She looks you over, appraising you. "Oh, we are grateful, you can be sure."
"Ascaria. They call you 'the Canary'. Very cute, your nickname. Give me the list, and we will carry it out to the letter, rest assured."
"Still the same Raella. Of course you are right. We care so little about our girls that our patrons rull like bulls through the glass menageries. You judge one patron's disrespect for them all. Why am I not surprised. Perhaps when you have children, oh wait... that's right. You can speak on that, can't you? Speaking on that..."
"Solrisa! Such a waste. Those impossibly perfect breasts of yours, what spells they would weave with our patrons. They alone would teach them the respect your sister thinks they lack. I'm sorry, I digress. By the looks of the girl, she's unhurt, so why would you suggest that she be hurt further, let alone I thank you for her return. I didn't ask for her return, and Lisbeth would have worked tonight regardless." Purple Prose's look speaks of patronization on the flaxen-haired twin.
"Why do you let Pillette hand Miss Prose the list, Canary. I think that's all we can do for now. At least here, anyway."
Purple Prose leaves the doorway, stepping up to Mort. Her hand reaches for his cheek. Whether or not it arrives, she coos.
"My, what a nice tongue you have, Mort, is it? You understand, don't you. Discretion is so hard to come by in this town. I haven't seen you upstairs yet. You really should consider our... services. The stress of a day's work practically melts from your frame. Such a big frame, too. Well, let's have the list. Let the slip pass the slip of paper. Send my regards to Lazare. I'm sure you'll be returning his dogs next." Purple Prose looks at neither Cudgel nor Wreck. Instead, she looks at those, save Mort, that deigned to speak.
Taking the paper, passing from gnome hands to halfling hands, finally to elven hands, she presses a hand to her chest, and bows slightly. She returns to the doorway, and closes the door behind her. The sound of lock bolts can be heard, then quiet. No dishes, no laughter.
Ascaria, satisfied Meghan will get the health care she needs, begins to get excited again as he thinks of the door in the side of the hill.
"So we're going back... right? To investigate that door!"
He sort of leans in that direction as if willing the party to shift. He takes a step, then another, and waits for the others.
"I agree, Ascaria. We need to make sure whatever is behind that door doesn't continue terrorizing Meghan. She's already been through far too much for a girl her age."
Tynan catches up with Ascaria, and slows his pace to walk beside him. "We need to head back to Lazare's first to drop off the hounds though, and let him know we managed to track down Meghan and return her safely." He pauses "And perhaps he can speak to Lisbeth, as well..."
"We need to head back to Lazare's first to drop off the hounds though, and let him know we managed to track down Meghan and return her safely." He pauses "And perhaps he can speak to Lisbeth, as well..."
Ascaria visibly slumps at the delay, but says nothing as he turns is feet begrudgingly toward Lazare's - a place he so recently happily counted as his destination.
He speaks up eventually, "That makes sense."
" Come on, Sol. Let's go." They are the only words she trusts herself to say.
She stalks off with the others, first to take the dogs back to Lazare, and then to head back to the door.
Solrisa leaves with Rae, but not before matching her sister's grump face as best she can.
"That's okay, Rae. We'll check up on her later," Sol says. "I bet she'll be fine."
Solrisa returns to Lazare's.
As Purple Prose speaks, Mort stands petrified. He neither turns nor looks toward her, but flinches slightly and shuts his eyes when she makes physical contact.
"Send my regards to Lazare. I'm sure you'll be returning his dogs next."
At the mention of Lazare's name, his eyes snap open. Clenching his fist, he bites his lower lip and says nothing.
He's fully aware of her meaning -- those to which she refers to as dogs.Hearing the door bolt shut behind him, he leaps away from the door as if dodging some projectile missle -- or as if he
expects it to explode at any second.
That went well.
In no hurry to see Lazare anytime soon, his spirits sink even further as he hears the others expressing their interest in checking in with the man.
Reluctantly, he follows.
As the triumphant search and rescue party arrives upon the square, they are greeted with the sound of moans and whiplashes. The flock of flagellants cross Memorial Square in front of you, a mixture of older men and women, their bodies worthy of the lash, but no longer worthy of the hard work of the mines. Crimson lightly trails behind them, causing Raella to tug firmly on the leash to distract the dogs from their study in blood. The flock enters the Church of Asmodeus, their moans of fervent penitence transitioning into zealous song. You can still hear them as the doors close behind them.
...
Lazare himself greets you quickly enough at the door, and ushers you in. The food cart remains adjacent to the hearth, unrefreshed from this morning's offerings. Dannath is no longer at the desk, and seems to be absent from Lazare's House. Lazare takes the leashes from Raella, and heartily pats the dogs to welcome them home. He tsks briefly, as he takes a closer look at Cudgel's snout. He sends them off, hanging the leashes.
"Do tell me you have good news. The day is long enough already, it would do me good to hear you were able to find the girl." He studies each of you in turn.
Lazare seems less tense speaking with you at present.
I hate this place.
Mort takes occupies a corner of the room and waits for someone else to address Lazare's query.
Tynan studiously ignores the flagellants as they cross the square, not even deigning to look upon the church's facade. Poor misguided fools...
...
Tynan eyes Lazare carefully in return, before speaking.
As is too often the case, Lazare's motivations remain a mystery.
"Yes, we have successfully found Meghan, saving her from almost certain death. She has been reunited with her mother." He looks over at Rae, fulling expecting another outburst.
"There is more investigating I would like to do, and I hope the others will assist me. It seems some...thing was calling to Meghan from behind a door in the hillside. I'd like to see the threat to the girl ended once and for all."
Tynan ponders the origin of the door, but can't think of any reason it might exist there.
Asciaria watches the flagellants and wants to stop them and heal their injuries. He considers getting close and channelling energy, but he remembers how well that turned out last time...
Once in Lazare's, he sort of leans over and looks to see if any of the gambling tables are setup. He completely misses Lazare's query and only drifts back during Tynan's response.
"I'll join you Tynan. I too am eager to see what's behind that door."
Solrisa smiles as Tynan tells the story. She nods and smiles at several points, agreeing with what is being said as a way to confirm it.
"And there were wolves! But we had to kill them because they were not friendly," Sol adds. "Some thought there were men around, but I didn't see them at all."
Sol's eyes flicker to the ham plate, now apparently hamless. She frowns, but then remembers that there will likely be more ham in her future.
"I don't think Meghan's mom is very nice. She seemed very rude, Lazare. But outside of that, it was a fun trip!" Sol exclaims.
The halfling remains mostly quiet while the others report.
She nods ever so slightly in agreement with Tynan's assessment regarding returning to the door, but looks steadily and closely to see Lazare's reaction to the proposal to insure the girl's continued safety.
"Purple Prose also sends her regards, Sir."
"I hadn't realized how little her mother cared for her, or I would have suggested we take her elsewhere. Yes, Purple was her usual nasty self, Lazare. "
"But it's good to see you more relaxed, Lazare. "
"Yes, we have successfully found Meghan, saving her from almost certain death. She has been reunited with her mother. It seems some...thing was calling to Meghan from behind a door in the hillside. And there were wolves! But we had to kill them because they were not friendly. I don't think Meghan's mom is very nice. She seemed very rude, Lazare. Purple Prose also sends her regards, Sir. I hadn't realized how little her mother cared for her, or I would have suggested we take her elsewhere. Yes, Purple was her usual nasty self, Lazare."
Lazare listens to the accounting for the morning's expedition. He seems quite satisfied with the report of Meghan's rescue, less so as more than one person speaks out against Lisbeth and Purple Prose.
He pats the front counter. "Well, I am very glad I asked you all to help me with this. If you'll have this, I offer a small token of my gratitude." Lazare hefts a small coin purse, and tosses it to Raella.
"You'll of course be welcome in Lazare's free of our amenity fee from now on. Ascaria, I'm afraid I'll still insist you gamble only what you can afford to lose. I'll not have you on my ledger." Lazare looks next to the twins.
"No one chooses their mother. There are children worse off in this town than Meghan. I'm not sure what you saw, but her mother cares for her. Why would you suggest removing daughter from mother? No, this is not something I care to discuss further. I am grateful that you were able to reunite them, that is enough." He looks to Tynan next.
As to your concerns, I share them. If you're determined to investigate the hillside, then may the gods look over you. Help yourself to lunch at least, before you depart our House. If you're leaving again today, I'll tell Dannath you'll be gone before we open." Lazare shakes each of your hands, before excusing himself to the office.
You are the sole occupants of the parlor's main floor.
Tynan looks at the others, then glances at the food cart near the hearth. His stomach rumbles, and he realizes he has yet to eat today.
Crossing the room, he prepares a small plate of food and speaks.
"Will any of you join Ascaria and I as we try and locate Meghan's tormentor?
Tynan prepares to walk away from the cart, but stops and prepares a second small plate of food. He carries the two plates carefully, as he walks over to Pilette.
"I doubt you got a chance to eat anything this morning either, being busy serving the others." He offers her one of the plates. "Thank you for all your help. I hope you'll be joining us."
Ascaria listens to Lazare and is pleased to be allowed to gamble here again - and given some coin with which to do it! Just a flutter.
"Gee, thanks Lazare!" he says joyfully.
He joins Tynan and makes himself a large sandwich and coffee before sitting down nearby to eat. He munches loudly and idly draws a simple repeated pattern on the table with a bit of charcoal as he does so.
"We should leave soon. I don't think we want to be out there after dark - likely a lot more wolves then." He takes a big bite, "I hope everyone is going. We make a pretty good team!" and a bit of bread escapes his mouth during 'team'.
"You'll of course be welcome in Lazare's free of our amenity fee..."
... . Huzzah.
Mort does not offer his hand for shaking. Instead he says to Lazare:
"I have done that which you ask. My understanding is that I am no longer in your debt, is that correct?"
Solrisa squeals as she gets paid.
"Rae, look! It's money!! Now you don't have to worry so much about finding your next job!" Sol claps happily, turning to her sister.
She looks over at Ascaria.
"Is there enough there for a puppy, Ascaria? Can me and Rae get a puppy?" Sol asks. "Also, did we want to help them open the door! I do like exploring! What if there are puppies inside? OR. WOLF. CUBS!! We could get a wolf cub?! Can we?!"
Sol looks at Rae.
Rae rubs her head in frustration. Her face flames at the mention of her unemployment in front of the others.
"look, Sol, we can talk about this later. But no puppies. No cubs. We uhhh, have to figure out who or what is calling Meghan out there. We wouldn't be good people to take care of them. We have to take care of this stuff first."
Ascaria carefully takes his pile of gold from the large (to him) bag.
"Sol, I think you could get a puppy easily enough for just a gold or two from one of the mining families. There are lots of dogs around town and new litters all the time. Should be easy."
He shakes his head, "I don't know about a wild wolf cub though. That will take some ability - do you have skill with animals?"
He carefully counts out his coins and drops it in his own purse.
"I hadn't realized how little her mother cared for her, or I would have suggested we take her elsewhere."
"Reliable sources indicate that Meghan's mother is trying to protect her daughter and make sure the lass does not end up sharing her mother's difficult position. I believe Lazare trusts this source implicitly, so either I've received false information, or possibly something else is causing the mother's behavior."
"I doubt you got a chance to eat anything this morning either, being busy serving the others. Thank you for all your help. I hope you'll be joining us."
She nods and gives a slight bow. "I am make sure I'm ready to serve when required." She takes the plate and offers just the tiniest hint of an appreciative smile.
"Despite the behavior we witnessed, I believe all of the powers that be ..." Lazare, the Midnight Salute, even the boy "... want to keep the lass safe. A halfling should be where she is needed, so of course I will lend my assistance." She smiles sweetly and nods to Tynan, indicating she will accompany them to the door.
And this is a chance to do something that Lazare, Purple Prose, and possibly even the boy's family may find to be worth. An opportunity that should not be missed.
Mort watches Lazare take his leave.
"Reliable sources indicate that Meghan's mother wants to protect her daughter ..."
Not comfortable talking about this in town but not wanting to miss the opportunity to express his thoughts, Mort offers:
"I have respect for people who do what they have to do to provide for themselves and their families. Sometimes to outsiders it may not look like a parent is doing what's best for a child, but it doesn't necessarily mean they are bad people. I always think they are doing what they can -- their very best."
He glances at Raella and Sol.
"It was never my place to judge."
He turns to Pillette.
"There are those however, who take advantage of or otherwise exploit others for profit. I think it evil. Places like the Salute have high potential for such company -- which is why I didn't want to believe the Place also housed any children."
"I tell you -- Meghan's mother is terrified of something."
He looks at the pile of gold.
"Take my share -- buy yourselves whatever you think you will need before heading for this door. I'll pick up a few things myself and meet you just outside of town like before within the hour."
He pauses before taking his leave. "Assuming that is, that you'll still have my company."
Without waiting for a response, he exits Lazare's to grab some food, provisions and heads for the outskirts of town.
Ascaria snatches Mort's pile, "I'll take care of it. I have a great idea! See you in an hour!"
He quickly finishes his sandwich and scurries out the door.
Tynan looks around at the group, and smiles. "I'm glad we're all dedicated to seeing this finished. We should all meet with Mort at the edge of town... say at first bell?"
"I have done that which you ask. My understanding is that I am no longer in your debt, is that correct?"
Lazare frowns lightly, as Mortimer speaks on forgiveness of debt. "Friends don't discuss debt, Mortimer, and I consider you one. I wouldn't have asked just anyone to do this. If you feel we are somehow even, then I am only glad that I have been able in the past to have helped you as you have helped me. I won't impose upon you further."
You are aware of only two places locally that will facilitate the purchase of a healing potion- Benazel the Alchemist, who has a small office on the first floor of the Smelting House up the road, and Hameneezer of the Church of Asmodeus, directly on Memorial Square. The Church can likely facilitate the scroll purchase as well. Where do you go?
...
The thunder outside sounds, almost in agreement, as the search party decides to renew its effort. Entering Memorial Square, the steady downpour of rain has almost rinsed the penitent blood free from the cobblestones. The search party reassembles just north of Dourstone Road, Ascaria bringing up the rear, once again.
The rain makes an uneasy traveling companion, casting a pall over the afternoon's return to the hillside. Taking the intiative to see it so soon since the morning's activities has its reward, as the wolf tracks, and rabbit run are found with relative ease.
The doorway almost eludes your detection. It slowly becomes obvious that only by being at this elevation on the hillside, and in your current position, can you see its facade as something door-like. It blends into its surrounds surprisingly well. Hacking away at the brambles in necessary for the larger folks to consider entrance.
The more you remove the brambles, the more you can see sets of wolf tracks making their way in and out of this entrance. The inner floor demonstrates wet prints, in fact.
Natural light dimly illuminates a long hallway extending north into darkness. A faint breeze brings with it sibilant whispers that sound almost like sighing breath. It must be a trick of the wind, but the effect is almost lifelike.
The walls bear horizontal bands of deceptively simple geometric patterns at waist level. In some places, the bands reveal startling detail, but in others the walls look as though they have been hacked apart with weapons or eroded by the rigors of time. Flakes of ancient paint, brilliant purple and a dull mustard hue, still cling to the walls in places, hinting at what must once have been a riot of color. A thin coat of dust coats the floor in spots.
Just inside, the hallway branches into shallow alcoves to the east and west. Here the walls bear the most significant damage. Dozens of clumsy etchings mar the beautiful ancient masonry like graffiti on a city wall. A clump of soiled cloth about the size of a halfling rests in the rounded terminus of the western alcove. Outside, the wind picks up, and a chorus of almost human sounds rises from the darkened hall.
Tynan examines the area around the entrance, noting numerous wolf tracks."Proceed with caution. It appears the wolves were using this area as a den." He gestures at Ascaria. "And as our sharp-eared friend noticed earlier, there are still more nearby."
He unsheathes his short sword, and steps back for the more heavily armored to pass. He turns his attention to the surrounding hills, trying to detect any possible attacks from behind the group.
Sol almost bounces when she gets to do some exploring with Rae.
"Rae, do we need to get anything before we go exploring? I think I have rope. Do we have food?"
If Rae wishes, they will go shopping for XY&Z, then meet the group at one bell.
* * *
"Look, Rae! A door!"
Survival
Sol sucks on her finger from where she pricked herself on a 'briar'.
Briars are jerks.
* * *
Sol stands transfixed as the whistling wind's vibrations create sound.
"Rae, listen! It's almost like talking! Do you hear it?" Sol listens for a minute. "What do you think is causing that, Rae? We should go find out."
Sol re-attaches her shield to her arm in case there are whistling wolves therein.
"Benazel good fellow! I understand you're the man to talk to about potions, and I need one. A new friend of mine is in the habit of putting himself in harms way, and I think it's about time he carried a little something to help out if I'm not around."
"Might you have a potion of curing around by chance? Just a simple Cure Light Wounds for now, though we might do more business for other odds and ends at a future time if you're so inclined!"
Ascaria catches up with the party at the door and watches as the more skilled among us tracks and removes jerky briars.
He slides in next to Mort, "So I have a gift for you!" he hands him a small potion vial.
"It's a potion of curing! Use it if you're in a jam and I'm not around, or for that matter if someone drops and I can't get to them - just up end it down their throat! Watch for the tongue though, it's always getting in the way."
Mort ducks as he cautiously passes the threshold of the door.
"Heads up, it appears wolves use this passage way for something. I'm open to suggestion, but I think maybe Tynan should go first since he seems to have a good eye -- or two, even -- followed by the -- uh, er -- Twins, then Ascaria and Pillette. I could bring up the rear."
He turns to Ascaria -- "Good thinking! I will keep this until such time as it is needed -- but let's hope that's not anytime soon."
The lithe half-elf finishes organizing a rack of glass vials on his back shelf as you enter. He hears you first, before turning to greet you. He meets you at his front counter, made of a deep blue marble.
"Making friends, are we? Who's this lucky fellow, who has friends inquiring about potions for him? What ways of harm is he running into?" He reaches for a shelf below the counter, extracting several vials that swirl in a blue similar in color to the countertop.
"Just what you need, I'm sure. You're sure you only need one? This is a fresh brew. I work on my healing brews mid-week, so I'm sure to have enough for the demand through week's end. I can set aside several more, if you'd sign a requisition. You look like the honest kind, I can tell. Must be the eyes." Benazel leaves the rack on display, looking hopeful.
The sound of wolves growling can be heard coming from the darkness to the north.
"I don't know what we're going to need to be honest. Probably a few scrolls, but as far as potions go I'd rather get Cure Moderates - but I can't afford that quite yet. I just need this for now, and I'll let you know about the others in time - OK?"
He bounces back out the door in a rush to give his gift to Mort...
Ascaira drops a fresh bullet into his sling and murmurs, "Careful, there are wolves ahead."
If there's time after he loads his sling, he'll also cast Bless (+1 attacks, saves vs fear (morale)) before the party moves into the house/cave.
Dang, the lighting in here is ... different.
Mort draws his blades at the caution given by Ascaria.
As Tynan turns to move behind the others, Mort suggests he take take the lead in exploring the tunnels. The growling of wolves from the passage ahead makes any thought of debate with the large man fall to the wayside.
Tynan stands his ground next to Mort, and peers down the passage.
"Does anyone have a torch handy? Fire might help to keep them at a distance."
" Yeah, a few things." Rae takes time to purchase a few things, and then she too is ready to get back to the door.
****
"Yeah, Sol, I see it." Rae
Without the leashes to worry about, Rae prefers to carry her sword in such a situation. With it in hand, she moves ahead.
The light of the doorway carries further into the distance for your elven-touched eyes. You see another set of side doorways, much the same as the openings everyone can see currently.
"Ooh, Rae! Look, doorways! Can wolves open doors?" Sol moves up into the not-light, looking around.
To your left, you can see a old bedroll lying on the ground against the wall of the alcove. To your right, nothing of interest lying on the ground.
Much further down the corridor, roughly 100' ahead, you think something flickers of green light. The sound of wolves continues to travel down the corridor as well.
Perception
"Rae, look! A bedroll! Someone might have been sleeping here at some point in all time. That's good to know, huh?"
"Dammit, Sol. Get back here!" Rae hisses through clenched teeth as she tries to get a torch lit. Once it is lit,she hurries after her sister. "You know I can't see as far as you, do you think you could wait for others a little?"
"Ooh, Rae! Look, doorways! Can wolves open doors?"
Mort throws his shoulder in front of her to stop her forward progress.
"Please don't."
"I don't think that's a wise thing to do right now. We're in the funnel of the entrance -- wait for them to come to us -- help Rae watch our backs. These things like to circle and surround."
The halfling scowls a bit at the rather noisome sisters in front.
"Perhaps if we were settled down a bit, one of us could, ahh, investigate a bit more quietly?"
Pillette taps her crossbow and grimaces with some regret, before retrieving a torch. "If we are not worried about revealing ourselves..."
Mortimer steps through the arch of the ancient doorway, letting his eyes adjust to the dimness. As he draws his two weapons, he watches in frustration as Solrisa hurries past him, just avoiding his shoulder. She peers into the darkness, yielding some information regarding the closest alcoves. Raella strikes a torch and hurries after her sister, her armor preventing her from keeping up with her fully. Tynan stands with Mort, readying to advance as the light sources come out. Pillette herself pulls out a torch, expecting to need more than one if the twins hasten the forward march. Ascaria provides a blessing to the group, before loading his slingstaff for wolf. Everyone is aware that wolves are growling in the darkness that lies beyond your torchlight.
Round 1, Init 19
Solrisa, awaiting her companions, steps next to whomever else is in the front, drawing her blade. Her calloused man-hands mitt grasping the hilt of her long long sword in one hand. Her shield, on her left arm, faces where she might have heard the wolves.
Sol readies to strike any wolf that comes within reach, bouncing lightly on her balls of her feet.
to hit;
damage.
Ok then... why don't I just take up the rear...
If any wolves or Evil Handlers come near Mort:
Round 1, Init 18
Round 1, Init 14
Tynan advances down the corridor until he comes even with Solrisa, then begins scanning the dark corridors ahead and to his right for glimpses of torchlight reflecting from wolf eyes.
He readies his short sword to stab, should any wolf advance on him.
It's dull, but you can see a dim green light ahead. Not pinpoint, like sets of eyes, but a general glow coming from the end of the hall.