Lurio moves with Rexus, whistling for the others to follow suit so none are left behind. Through the bookstore, they travel slowly to the back where there was a hidden room. Quirking a brow, he stepped inside and sat in one of the chairs nearby. Lurio would return his nod as Rexus began to his long, rapid speech to all of them.
The words struck home for Lurio, they were so close to the same things that claria had said when they sat together in the bars. Words of resistance, words of hips, and he'd reach into one of his side pockets and pull out the gift once more. The mask was a gift to her, a gift comemmorating her dedication to liberating the people of Kintargo from the oppressions of House Thrune. Unlike the picture, the mask was tinged with a soft, rose color to resonate with the goddess Milani. He stared over it for a moment, rough and aching fingers slipping across the intricate design before he looked back up towards Rexus.
"I will do everything in my power to free this city from that thrice-damned House." He murmurs, looking at the others as the dedicate themselves to the cause. A smile grows along the corner of his lips, his head nodding. "You can rely on me Rexus. However...I've never done anything like this...ever. Where would we start?"
Listening to Rexus' offer, Pakuzzo recalls the past tales of the Silver Ravens that the would-be revolutionaries used to bandy about before Barzillai had them all snuffed out. The corners at the ends of his beak turn upward. He smells opportunity.
"A chance to turn the screws on House Thrune, and play hero while doing it? I'm normally not one for charity, but mister, it sounds like you just bought yourself an archer. In fact, this is giving me some ideas..."
Marillo shrugs. "In for a copper, in for a gold. I'm in." He already had the blood of the law on his hands. Literally. He had killed all of those men for good reasons. For moral reasons. But it didn't change the fact that he was a murderer. Even if he wanted to back out, it was far too late. And he had to admit to himself, he had felt more alive in one day, felt like he had more purpose, than he had in his entire life.
Lurio's whistle was likely directed at Luthor, who had watched with raised eyebrows as this not so noble looking noble led them all to the shop. Seemed like an innocuous enough thing to do, entering a dusty bookshop where more private conversations could be held. He nearly began laughing when the bookshelf slid away though. "Dear Irori, what the *gresh-ku have I gotten myself mixed up with? he said under his breath.
When Rexus finished his speech, it was several moments before Luthor spoke.
You are all... completely... insane.
"No, not really. This is my home." Marillo waved his arms out, as if to indicate the entire city. "All of us were just involved with murdering members of House Thrune. We did this in public, in sight of their leadership. So each of us have three options." He held up a hand and started counting.
"One. Hide. I don't fancy living in constant fear of being dragged out of my home at night to be torn apart by wild dogs."
"Two. Run. Leave the city. This is the safest option for all of us. Leave now and never come back."
"Three. Fight. Overthrow the bastards who step all over us. Who bring Devils and demons, like that dog, to kill their own citizens. Who make insane laws. Who abuse us, who beat us, who sacrifice our children to their monstrosity of a god. We show them that we won't stand for it. And we kill them before they can grind us, and everyone around us, into the dirt."
"So there you have it. I can't flee my home, so I'll fight. As for you? I don't know you. I don't know why you are here. But if I were you I'd make up my bloody mind."
Lurio was quiet as the others began to speak up, almost chuckling at Pakuzzo's reasonings and nodding towards his friends. They were a strange group, bound by a terrible incident and the chaos thereafter. Yet there was something there, after all. They could've all ran, they could've all disappeared into the crowd. Yet instead, they stayed and fought for one reason or another.
There was a dissenting opinion and his eyes turned towards Luthor, the man that had helped save Marillo. He was a voice of reasonable cynicism and Lurio didn't lash out immediately. No, he could understand the apprehension of it. To stand against House Thrune was to stand against an empire, a powerful one at that.
"Marillo speaks true, my friend. Then again, with your abilities, perhaps you were unseen. You could still escape, you could still hide." Lurio's voice did not hold any aggression in it, as he looked to the others.
"I saw what inaction breeds; I watched a good friend of mine be murdered for following a goddess that House Thrune outlawed. I watch her be torn apart by dogs. I-I watched that bastard drink his wine and laugh with his sycophants as her life was ended. I saw in that moment, that exact moment, how much he cares about us."
He began to pace the room, a hand slipping to Marillo's shoulder and a small smile on his face. His friend was quiet and reserved but he knew the fierce nature underneath. To have taken lives today showed his dedication, his willingness to fight for what was right, but accusing statements would not sway the unsure. If they were to succeed, they'd need to convince the populace that they were right, they were worth the risk, and it'd start with Luthor.
Turning back towards the man, Lurio lifted his chin and tried to look his part as a noble despite the swollen knot over his eye, his words soft but severe.
"I came to the protest because I had hope. I had hope that House Thrune would do the unimaginable, the impossible; that they would listen to reason...that they would listen to the people that laid beneath them." Shaking his head, he sighed and spoke in a whisper. "For my naivety, I almost lost another friend. How many died in front of the Opera House? How many will die within the stockades and underneath the teeth of dogs and for the enjoyment of vile men and women?"
The last words began to shake with emotion as his eyes grew wet and reflective, the tears threatening them before he shook his head.
"House Thrune showed themselves perfectly today; underhanded tactics, brutal measures, and uncaring indifference. Words will not save my home. Running will not save my friends, my family. So instead...I'll fight. I will bleed for Kintargo, I will strike at House Thrune again and again until their vile presence no longer infects my home and my people!" With every word, his voice grew angrier and angrier before he was almost shouting, as if he was convincing himself.
He would look again at Luthor, offering a hand out to the man. "You saved my friend's life. You fought alongside us. I cannot ask you to become criminals with us, to become revolutionaries, but Rexus was not wrong. You are capable of amazing things and we will need those incredible skills again. I have no right to ask you of a thing but...Luthor...will you join us? Will you help me save my...our...home?"
"You should know that I have lived all three of your options, master Marillo. And let me tell you, Lurio, that your friend will not be the last person close to you to die because of House Thrune, whether or not you start this little rebellion against it. What will be different though, is that their death will be the direct consequence of your actions. Can you live with that?" He took Lurio's hand. "Look me in the eyes and tell me; when your mother, or father, or brother, or sister, or maybe even every single one of them; dies as retribution for things you did; will you continue to fight? Could you live with yourself if you continued to fight? Or would you run away, give up your title of nobility, maybe take up a hobby like painting," -Lurio felt a vibration in his hand, and saw silver fur coating Luthor's arm- "and live out the rest of your miserable life making sure that only those who are already hell-bound" -it was almost hard to understand him because of the growl with which he said this- "are sent on their last journey because of you!?"
The transformation completed as spoke. His mouth was replaced with an elongated snout, and his previously brown eyes with harsh yellow ones. Two tails, nearly 5ft in length each, rose up behind him, and his whole body was covered in silver fur. For the first time in nearly two years, Luthor had taken Kitsune form.
The man looks at each of you in turn as you sign on to join his crusade. Smiling at a few of the responses. When his eyes fall on Luthor, the kitsune hesitating to join their efforts, he furrows his brow.
Glancing back to Crady and Lurio, he considered I suspected they would agree. As the four armed lady came into view his cheeks reddened. I knew she was on board!
Hearing Marillo express his concerns, though somewhat harsh, the man nods. Maintaining his silence as they discussed their possibilities. Good! They mustn't enter into this with hesitation.
Finally speaking up, surprised at the sight "Ah! A kitsune! Haven't known one in ages. You all have valid points. I do caution you to not enter into this lightly. I've no doubt the flames Thrune has ignited in recent weeks need but a little kindling to burst forth. However, as Luthor has suggested, there is inherent danger. Once you've decided yay or nay, I shall continue."
Pakuzo elbows Luthor.
"C'mon, you can't tell me that this city doesn't need a revolution. We're on the cusp of something big here, and if no one does something we're as good as in chains already. Have you seen the rest of Cheliax? This is about self-preservation as much as anything. I don't even have much of a moral center, and even I can tell that things are going to go very badly for a lot of people who ain't done nothin' yet. 'Sides, what have you got to do that's so important?"
Crady listens to everyone arguments and chimes in.
You know, Marillo. I'm normally for option one. When the city guard hassled me in the past, it was just easier to move." The urban druid begins to scratch his hair in embarrassment. "But since Kintargo decided to use me as a trumpet at the protest, well, I guess that is no longer an option for me." With a sigh or resignation, Crady states "Kintargo has just declared war on House Thrune."
Looking to Luthor, Metronicus continues, "As for me, fox spirit, I never had a family to endanger. Not that I minded. So no harm to me."
Looking to all present, "This is bigger than everyone here. And just like everyone here, I'm a plaything of Fate. Kintargo tells me to move, I move. Sadly, this revolution business is seriously going to hamper being a city guide", shrugs Crady.
Lurio listened with rapt attention as the man began to explain his reasonings, what brought him to consider the whole thing daft. Yet with every word, Luthor's point was made clear. There was no easy price to pay for freedom and freedom was not guaranteed with this revolution. House Thrune was powerful, even while distracted by the actions of the Glorious Reclamation to the Southeast. Yet a distraction was what they needed, a distraction is what could save them. Their military forces would be pushed towards defeating that righteous force and if Kintargo slipped from their grasp, it would be too far away for them to easily reclaim. That meant support from allies, that meant a new front, and the cause and effect of a successful city rebelling would ripple through the empire. How many others would rise because one succeeded? How many others would fight against their hellish masters if Kintargo broke free?
Yet as the man transformed, a look of awe spread across his face. He changed from man into a beast, but that was the wrong thing to say. No, he was beautiful in his way and there was a sadness in those harsh, yellow eyes. A kitsune, a man on the path of vengeance, who had paid the price. The others put in their two copper pieces, trying to convince the man, but Lurio doesn't break his stare. Not until his hand taps the table nearby with the wooden mask and his eyes focus upon it. A mask. A disguise. A symbol. A man could be wounded, targetted, hunted, but a symbol? A symbol was impossible to truly destroy.
"A man has two faces, Lurio." Claria said with a grin, the dwarven girl smiling over the pint of ale that she had already emptied. "There is the mask he shows the world and the truth he shows his friends. The stone underground always has two sides eventually; the chiseled end and the natural cave on the other side." Lurio laughed, shaking his head as he sipped his elven wine and enjoyed the drunken stupor.
"And what is the point of that, Claria?" He asked, drawing a serious gaze from the woman.
"A true face can be molded, vulnerable, but the hardened mask keeps it safe. Never forget your mask, my friend. You are young and stupid, wise but eager. You'll accomplish great thing, you just need to know what face to wear!"
It was as if Lurio was lost to the memory before he remembered where he was, looking back up at Luthor's face before he spoke. "Then they will not know who I am. I will be an unknown, a fear that they cannot place or escape." His hand gripped Luthor's forearm tightly bringing him in closer and if he didn't resist, into a tight embrace. "I am sorry for what they must have done to put you upon this path, my friend." He whispered into the kitsune's ear, pulling back enough to meet his eyes. "If they are foolish enough to take everything away from me, then I only have things to gain. If they set me upon a dark path, I now know I will have company."
His voice gains purchase, the close moment passing as he stepped back before giving that furry arm a resolute shake. "I would fight all the same and let them realize the monster they had made and I would only let them take me alive if I had a chance to spit in the Queen's face." He would pull away then, taking another moment to look into the mask. Marillo had seen that look before; ideas were brewing in the young noble's mind.
Before he pulled away, Luthor responded. It's not what they do to you, it's what you do to you that will earn you an audience with Asmodeus. And a mask (Luthor had followed his gaze) won't save you from that..
"Nothing, Pakuzzo. I have nothing. Which is why, Lurio, for better or worse I will join you. I do wonder how you will convince the men and women of Kintargo who do not enjoy our luxury of anonymity, and what you will do when some of those people you convinced are tortured to death. But if you're all so intent on marching off to hell I suppose I might as well help you take a few of Thrune's minions with us.
Marillo didn't admit it, but Luthor's talk was unnerving. He had a family in Kintargo. His parents were good, respectable people. If Thrune targeted them....
...he steeled himself. The cause was just. The ball was already rolling, whether he was in or not. And knowing himself, should a true rebellion break out, he'd likely join regardless. So why not be one of the people to give that good initial push?
But that was neither here nor there. What mattered was the moment. He stayed quiet as he waited for the others to get down to business as to what they actually had to do.
"I understand your concerns and I hope your fate is bright." Pausing to look each of you directly, he continues "After that night I went back to look for any survivors. Alas I found nothing. Not even their remains...what happened to them...The following day a woman approached me, claiming to have know my mother. This lady claimed my mother was a high ranking official of the Sacred order of Archivists. Can you believe that?"
"Well, I had my doubts, until she handed me a coffer which included a letter in my mom's own hand..." Wiping away a stray tear at the thought. "This lady, Laria Longroad, spoke to my mom just after the Lord-Mayor Bainilus vanished. After the Night of Ashes...she finally realized my mom's concerns were valid."
The frail man opens the coffer and presents you with the letter from his mother. "Read it, if you will. I've never been much in the ways of adventuring for I'm not a fighter. Books and research are my passion."
Staring into the coffer, he mutters, "This is all that remains of the noble house Victocora..." With a shake of his head he looks up again. "If you'll help me search out the Fair Fortune Livery, I'll give you my inheritance, save this." Pulling out a beautifully crafted key with a silvery shine. "I believe I may be able to help us obtain a safe house as well."
Lurio nods at Luthor's dark words, a cooler look within the man's eyes. Did he believe him to not know what kind of risk he was taking with this, the harm that he could be doing? Like himself, Lurio was more than just a commoner, even a minor noble. He was a proud son of House Jhaltero, one of the eight families that made the Council of Coin. He nodded for a moment, growing silent as Rexus made clear his intentions.
He looked over the the letter that Rexus's late mother had left for him, feeling his stomach twist at each following word. The poor woman, she had seen what was coming. To push your son into harm's way was not such a simple and easy thing to do, not when the punishment came from a source as cruel as House Thrune.
Handing the letter to whoever wished for it next, Lurio would step up to Rexus and grasp the man by his shoulder with a sad smile on his face.
"I will help you, my friend. Victocora has not fallen yet, not while her son still breathes."
Marillo injected, while looking at the noble incredulously. "Did you just say the Fair Fortune Livery? Ha! You're joking, right? The place is haunted. Everyone knows that. I'm more than happy to put a knife into something that can bleed. But what good are we going to do if we walk into a place like that? Unless you have something up your sleeves that's able to cut a ghost."
Placing both hands atop one another as they rest atop his bow, Pakuzzo considers Marillo's assessment.
"As much as I want the chance to crack open a Silver Ravens safehouse and see what's inside, he has a point. Ghosts are bad news. It's a bad fight when one guy can't take a hit, and an even worse one when that guy isn't you."
"I remember the place was once a slaughterhouse before being turned into a stable. Perhaps during the remodeling, there was...additions put in?" Lurio said, rubbing his chin slightly. "Perhaps the haunting was just a distraction, something to allow the Silver Hawks to hide out and keep their cover. We should investigate it, at the very least."
"Oh! Where are my manners?! You go and save my hide and how do I repay you?" interrupts Rexus. Rapidly digging through his pack, he pulls out 3 vials and sets them down in front of you all.
"Sorry I don't have more, but I tend towards the arcane arts. Cure light wound potions are yours if you need. I myself, have to go to the livery. I must know what happened to my parents and if theres any clues.... Sorry. You all discuss and I'll be here when you need me."
"Well, I won't let you go alone." Marillo sounded hesitant as he said that. "But...surely there are other safe houses."
He stopped as Rexus interrupted. He looked at the vials suspiciously, before looking straight at the frail nobleman they had rescued. "How about you tell us what is in there. What is in there that is so important, and so dangerous, that you'd give up your inheritance to send us? And why is it that you would pay so handsomely, provide us with healing, and are unable to to go by yourself?"
Looking at the strange human incredulously, he stammers "I...I..my mom's letter spoke of it. She's....she's....missing. I have to know what happened to her!"
Anger and fear welling up in the man, he spits out "Wouldn't you need to know?! As you can surely see, I'm no fighter! Therefore, I would prefer to have others lead the way. "
Blushing at his outburst, he takes a deep breath and calmly adds, "If you don't want the potions, I'll keep them. I was just trying to be helpful...grateful for your aid."
"Marillo!" Lurio would say suddenly, his brow furrowing as he looked towards the man. "This man has lost his home and his family. He doesn't have the look of a fighter, those thugs had nearly taken him in the alleyway. Though, I think you underestimate yourself Rexus, a few of them were unconscious when we arrived."
Lurio would take one of the vials, looking at the potion before nodding to the nobleman.
"I apologize. We just...you saw the protest. They had men hidden in the crowds and you realize the depth of what you're asking us to do." He smiles softly, trying to ease the tension around them. "Your aid is appreciated, truly."
Marillo glances at Lurio, but presses on. "Oh, I would want to know. But there are two things here. Fighting House Thrune, which we all agree on. And finding out what happened to your family. A worthy and understandable goal, no doubt. But it isn't what has brought us together.
Now, if we can do both at once, all the better. We will need a safe house. You want answers. But one thing that I couldn't do, if I were you, is to send a group of well meaning strangers into a haunted house. Not without telling them everything I know.
So if you want my help in this, I want answers. What is in the house that is so dangerous?"
In fairness, if there were anything especially powerful haunting the livery it almost certainly would have attracted more attention than it has. More than likely it's misinformation spread by the ravens or Victocorans themselves; it's not that difficult to fake a haunting. for emphasis, he pointed a finger at the silver dagger, which proceeded to rise up into the air and fly around the ceiling as he pointed in new directions. Correct me if I'm wrong Mr. Victocora, but seeing as you yourself I imagine your family has had much contact with practitioners of the arcane.
If it makes you feel better, I know a little bit of Psychometry, and with a couple of minutes to study the Livery I could probably tell you whether there's any ghosts there or not.
The others would note that converse to their eagerness to rebel but uneasiness about confronting the undead to help out Rexus, Luthor seemed far more willing to lend a hand with the Livery than standing up to House Thrune directly.
Marillo walks over towards the dagger and reaches his hand out. His shadow crawls out, the fingers of his shadow elongating. Stretching across the wall into monstrous and completely unnatural shapes. Marillo looks on at his own shadow in disgust and shame, but with a stoic look on his face. Very quietly he says "I know a thing or two about trickery. We all know about magic, even if we all don't know how to control it as you do." He doesn't look anyone in the eyes as he says this. "If our new friend here knew the house to be perfectly safe due to a lie he wouldn't need to send us. I don't want anyone here dying. Some of us might, but I hope only for a good reason. Not like those thugs we...I...killed earlier. That is why I ask him again what it is about that place which scares me so."
In fairness, if there were anything especially powerful haunting the livery it almost certainly would have attracted more attention than it has. More than likely it's misinformation spread by the ravens or Victocorans themselves; it's not that difficult to fake a haunting. for emphasis, he pointed a finger at the silver dagger, which proceeded to rise up into the air and fly around the ceiling as he pointed in new directions. Correct me if I'm wrong Mr. Victocora, but seeing as you yourself I imagine your family has had much contact with practitioners of the arcane.
"Hmm", speaks Crady, rubbing his chin in thought. "The Livery didn't say anything to me about being haunted OR being a hideout for the Silver Ravens. That cheeky monkey", exclaimed the urban druid! "Well, I guess I could understand, being a hideout and all. Hard to be an effective hideout if your blabbing it to every bloke that walks by."
Blushing at his outburst, he takes a deep breath and calmly adds, "If you don't want the potions, I'll keep them. I was just trying to be helpful...grateful for your aid."
Crady walks over to examine the potions, sniffs one, and pockets it in his dirty coat.
"Thanks, Governor", bows Crady to the rescued noble.
Pakuzzo makes no move for the potions, but considers what the other have said.
"...Well, I suppose we could at least scope it out. We can always retreat if things get dicey. Besides, it's gonna bug me if I don't see this place for myself."
Crady turns to the tengu and hold his hands in a gesture of 'wait'.
"Hold on, everybody. The streets are too hot right now. If it's alright with Lord Victocora, let's lay low here for a day, at least until nightfall", the urban druid looking around the room pleadingly.
"Sir, I myself haven't been to the livery. I was hoping to not go alone...for obvious reasons. Unfortunately I have nothing further to offer, save my support."
Watching each of you carefully as you continue to discuss the situation, he turns to Crady. "Certainly we can hold out here for a bit. The proprietor of this establishment owed me a favor and has promised to lend us the room for the night if needed. I hope a few hours would be plenty."
Rubbing his temple a moment, he adds "I cannot promise the livery will be suitable for a base of operations. Though, I suspect Ms Longroad may be equipped to help out in that matter."
Cerenity gently places one of her hands on his shoulder, giving him a reassuring and encouraging smile. (not that he can see her smile)
"We are honoured to help you out, in these dark days, every sliver of light is good enough, and enough to keep the light from fading. Thank you for your hospitality"
She then seems to remember something
"I was to meet you at the rally, was I not? You did match the description of the person i was asked to look out for"
Well, if we're waiting for nightfall that will at least give Lurio some time to do something about his head. If it's all the same to you though, I'd like to scope out the place while it's still light out. It will take me a few minutes to analyze the emotions and memories of the place, and there's no sense in having you lot stand around waiting for the dottari to show up.
You can read the psychic impressions left on objects or in places by previous owners and events.
Check: Once per day, you can concentrate for 1 minute while in physical contact with an item or location, during which you receive flashes of insight regarding the subject's nature and ownership. After 1 minute, you attempt a DC 15 Appraise check to decipher the visions. You gain one piece of information about the historical significance or the last previous owner—such as a glimpse of the last owner's appearance or its emotional state when it last used the item—determined by the GM. You learn one more piece of information for every 10 by which your check result exceeds the DC, as long as you concentrate for 1 additional minute for each piece of information. If you fail the check by less than 5 or the item has no significant psychic imprint, you don't learn any information. If you fail this check by 5 or more, the item appears to be psychically significant even if it's not, and the information you gain is wildly inaccurate. If you attempt to use psychometry on an item affected by charge object or implant false reading, you automatically learn all information imprinted by the spell. You must also attempt a Will save. If the item is affected by an implant false reading spell, on a success, you realize the information was false, and can determine the true information as well. On a failure, or if the item is affected by a charge object spell, you believe the information is true.
Action: Reading an object requires at least 1 minute of uninterrupted concentration.
Try Again: Yes. Multiple readings on an object or place always give the same results unless its circumstances or ownership have changed, but additional checks might reach further back into an object's history. You don't reroll the saving throw to determine if a psychic imprint is false. You can still use psychometry only once per day.
Lurio will set back down as the tenseness seems to dissipate in the room. He settles into one of the chairs, tenderly touching the sore part over his head.
"Some time and rest will treat it. A few hours, at the least. Though a night's rest may give us time to better prepare ourselves, in case there is trouble. I....I have never had a true fight like that outside of duels. Even those had rules and etiquette still to them."
Looking towards Luthor, he'd nod before speaking. "If you go, my friend, please take Marillo or perhaps Pakuzzo with you. I wouldn't wish for you to be caught alone."
"I will accompany him. I find that sometimes people's eyes linger less on me when my armor and badge are displayed." she nods
-Posted with Wayfinder
I'll go as well. Let it not be said that I will refuse to go where my friends walk."
"Glad to hear it. Friends then. I can live with that. And with time. Compatriots." she gives him a thumbs up
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Glad to hear it. Friends then. I can live with that. And with time. Compatriots." she gives him a thumbs up.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Luthor smiles at Lurio. "I can, shall we say, pass unseen when I so choose." He motions with his hand and the silver dagger drops into Marillo's grip. Then gesturing again the bracers lift of the table and slip onto Luthor's arms. "Hopefully I won't need these for long Rexus, they probably kept you alive a few minutes ago.
He peers out from behind the bookcase to make sure no one but the elf is in the shop, then opens it the rest of the way As he does so, the hair on his body quickly recedes, leaving him human in appearance again. Those of you that want to come along, I'll probably change forms once we reach Redroof, so try to keep up.
And with that he heads out.
Marillo takes a moment to admire the dagger. It was perfectly weighted, and certainly looked far more expensive than any he had ever seen before. But it was silver. It wouldn't cut the way steel would. It struck him as being lovingly crafted as an ornamental weapon. Pocketing it, he followed Luthor out.
"I bid you all farewell. For now" she makes a quick bow, then follows the two men to the outside
-Posted with Wayfinder
Rexus smiles at the four-armed woman. "Yes, ma'am. I'd heard about your...uh...retirement, if you will. I had a suspicion we were a like-minded sort. I do hope we find some answers within the livery. And you are welcome for the room. However, it's the least I could due with what I'm asking in return."
Nodding as the trio head out into the city, he turns back to those that remain. Turning back to Cerenity, almost as an after thought, he adds "Please retrieve me prior to exploring it's inner depths."
As you leave Crissali's Fine Tomes, you note the streets aren't as deserted as you recall. The citizens seem to be slowly recovering from the mornings excitement and returning to their normal duties.
You spot a couple patrols of uniforms, but notice most of the patrols are simple, untrained Chelish Citizen's Group members. Their iron amulets displaying CCG with a red bandana tied around the left shoulder. Each group seems to patrol in threes.
As you turn back to the south, several churches standout to the east. A large temple shaped monstrosity flying the symbol of the Pain Lord standing next to an elaborate bank sporting an oversized golden key.
Passing a few other churches to various gods in varying state of repair, your eye is drawn to a large domed building depicting moving images of various devils and hell itself. The bell atop the structure rings out randomly as you pass.
Rounding a bend to the east, the landscape changes drastically, decaying and rotting buildings lining the southern border of the street mark your definitive entry into the redroof district. The path along the slums (Devil's Nursery) are spotted with tiefling panhandlers down on their luck.
Ultimately, arriving across from your destination. From the outside, it's not much to look at. It's crumbling walls leaning heavily to the south, one marvels it's still standing. The two oversized doors held together by a massive rusted chain, though a gap remains. A strong aroma of stale urine assaults your nostrils. With the overcast haze over the entire region, the structure almost appears demonic in nature.
On the far side of the road, a group of young tiefling play a strange game involving sticks tied together with a rope, somewhat resembling a bola.
Curled up in a corner, Crady wakes from his long nap, mumbling "..ah..tell the Livery I said hello. um..", then goes back to his nap.
Shaking his head, Luthor points out the obvious as they pass: the people already seem to have forgotten the deaths of the morn. They've probably already disposed of the bodies; getting eaten by a demonic dog sounds like a sure-fire way to end up with a few undead on your hands.
He recognizes the Bank of Abadar and the church of Asmodeus (who wouldn't in Cheliax?), but has to think about what the Building with the Pain Lord might be.
Upon entering Redroof and seeing the poverty, he turns to Marillo. "So tell me, how did you escape the slums and come to associate with a Jhaltero?"
"Slums? My friend, you have me mistaken." Marillo looks slightly hurt as he says this. "I come from a respectable family. Not all of Redroof is like this. My parents are both..." He trails off for a moment, before continuing "Well employed. And I get by well enough entertaining the masses with my performances. As for how I met Lurio, it was during one such a performance. He was slumming, and had come to one of the taverns here in Redroof. I had been driven off of the street by Thrune thugs. They took poorly to the idea of armed men in the street after dark. So I had was forced to ply my trade indoors, with much of my earnings going to the house. Lurio tipped surprisingly well. I don't think he realized exactly how little the average person makes. Grateful as I was, I bought him a drink. And the more we drank, the better friends we became. He's got a good heart, and the courage to follow it. A combination that is sadly lacking."
As they walked he looked glanced at the tiefling children, wary of any attempts to pick their pockets.
"My apologies for such a mundane story. That really is the gist of it. Though I suspect that both of you have much more interesting stories to tell. Luthor, earlier I said that you had three choices, and you said that you have done all three. What did you mean by that?"
"Sorry for overgeneralizing. It's an odd thing, being different. You'd think it would train you to be more accepting, but in reality you're even more likely to lump people into groups.
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Luthor stiffens suddenly at Marillo's question, and responds without looking at him. I picked a fight with a devil and I lost. I ran from there until I arrived in Kintargo, and I've been masquerading as a painter ever since. 3, 1, 2. he said detachedly. Cerenity here probably has a better story of victories to tell though! He looks over at Cerenity, apparently eager to divert attention from himself.
Although he'd disapeared once they'd set out to scope out the livery, Pakuzzo steps out of a side alley about half a block behind Cerenity, Luthor, and Marillo. Seeing them, he hurries up the street to catch up. Vinz is currently nowhere in sight.
"Gods, I don't know why you folks insist on traveling by pavement when the roofs are right there," he says, falling in step with them. "There's too many prying eyes at ground level."
He looks left and gives the stinkeye to a Chelish Citzens' Group patrol traveling across the intersection, but snaps his head back forward and acts like he didn't notice them when one of them looks in their direction.
"So what's the good word? Not that its my business to ask others their business, but I like to know who I'm likely to swing from the gallows with. I heard Luthor giving the floor to the young miss, so as long as we're sharing..."
As they continue to walk, Cerenity starts her introduction. Of sorts. Two of her arms constantly in her cloak. One is not sure if she hides them, or if she keeps them on her weapons
"Been some time since I came to Kintargo. My race is spread quite thing. Most of us are explorers and we search for signs and clues of our past. And hopefully. Find our future. Me. Well. I decided if i am going to be stuck here, might as well do something productive besides digging through old ruins and the like. I eventually joined the military, i find their dicipline quite fascinating. Learned how to use a firearm. And took time to study all the working of how to maintain them. Not that you would say that from what my current one looks like. But she has been with me since i started, and I dont plan to give her up any time soon. I did achieve a rank or two before i got bored with... with staying in one place for too long. Retirememt has its perks. As i can now move about more freely..." she looks at the patrols. "To a degree. Not that it was like that before" she takes a deep breath "I prefer not to talk about my exploits too much. Do not want to make you think less of me because of my background"
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