The trio departs the lodge and arrives at the Pediment building with four minutes to spare. You enter the building to find a small line of people leading to a welcoming desk. After a brief wait, an annoyed desk clerk looks up as you approach, barely taking the time to look at you. "Good morning, or afternoon. Whichever it is. How can I help you?" he says with a sigh that tells you far better than words how he wishes he could be anywhere but here. When you mention you'd like to see Valanni Krinnst the clerk sighs, and shuffles some papers about on his desk. "You, and everyone else wants to speak with him. He's kind of a busy man. What is it you want to speak with him about?"
Whatever your business with Krinst is, the clerk seems pretty uninvested in it.
The clerk ignores Ma'Huuk completely, continuing talking to a rather flamboyantly dressed merchant of some kind. No less than twenty seconds later he shoots Ma'Huuk a rather annoyed look before scrutinizing his invitation briefly. He waves a dismissive hand, b]"Look son of your Beggar, you're three minutes late. I'm sorry, that appointment is past you'll need to try again some other time."[/b] Looking past him he shouts, "NEXT!"
While the trio is off on Ma'Huuk's errand, Several and Gaeldrung step out of the cottage to consult with the Heidmarch groundskeeper on any potential insight he may have on the yellowcap. He said he himself didn't know anything, but perhaps Ms. Tipz who used to work an apothecary would know. He leads them across the property to the kithchen where they are offered tea and endure a twenty minute tirade of tales from the portly woman before they finally get to the meat of their request. "So, what was it you fine Pathfinder's needed?
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Gaeldrung tries to maintain a look of polite attention during the whole ordeal. Normally he would have cut across the woman and straight to the point like a blade to the bone, but Several takes the lead and a short eternity later the point finally comes around.
Yellowcaps, Maam. We suspect the sewers may hold some, but we're wondering if there wasn't somewhere slightly less annoying. and apparently there isn't one. He keeps that last bit to himself. He desperately wants to avoid another tale of this woman's adventures.
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Indra pulled deep on her past lives, the patience, and the knowledge to convince stubborn clerks to do their jobs with minimal hassles. She gave the clerk a slight glare and said, "Excuse me sir but I there has been some mistake. We were here on time for our appointment, we even made it a few minutes early, but we have been kept waiting past out time. I can see that you are very busy, and that you have little time for such issues, but it is important that we keep this appointment." She gently laid a hand on the man's arm and smiled her best smile as she continued, "Would you be so kind as to point us to where our appointment is, we can show ourselves the way and save you the time it would take you to get us there if you would." Once she'd finished her request to the clerk Indra felt a bit distant for a moment but quickly came back to herself.
As you enter the office and look around, you see that it is fairly utilitarian in nature, but there are the trappings of Andoran scattered around. A portrait of His Excellency Codwin I of Augustana hangs on the wall opposite the door you enter, and as you look around you see various pieces of artwork depicting the Andoran battles with the House of Thrune, and portraits of Eagle Knights past and present.
A wiry man smiles at you from behind the desk. Clearly, this must be Valanni Krinst. He looks at you and asks "Ah, good you came. an My adventurer, the chieftain's son and," he swings his attention to Indra, "a Vudrani performer! Yes, yes. I found your letter quiet intriguing. I believe you are here to discuss your embassy's paperwork, no? Please be brief, I have a busy schedule."
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Ma'Huuk pauses as he passes the little man, looking down on him with a feral grin. He claps him on the shoulder roughly, speaking in his native tongue.
As they move past the weasely clerk, Ma'Huuk nods to Indra, keeping his booming voice as low as possible. "That was a thing well done. Thank you."
Ma'Huuk pauses to take the man in, then gives an awkward bow ... trying to emulate the way he's seen these Northerners treat those they respect.
"Thank you for seeing us quickly. I am Ma'Huuk, son of Ma'Saak. And I see you are a Chief among these city-men who sees many things. The Society has sent us to ask if there is any way a man like you may ... make things move a bit faster?"
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Looking around the office as he walks in, Bregan inexplicably trips over his own feet knocking an Andoran statuette sideways catching it at the last moment before it can fall. Sheepishly he apologizes to the government official.
"My pardons Master Krinst, you graciously allowed us entrance into your office and your schedule, and I nearly destroy one of the decorations. However I must say some of these are quite nice.."
Krinst considers Ma'Huuk's statement while ignoring Bregan completely. He pauses to consider the statement that Ma'Huuk made while looking between the trio. He responds, "So I've heard. The Pathfinder's here in Magnimar have been good to me when I've worked with them, I'm inclined to push along your request, but as you know that means pushing someone else aside. I believe a performer was mentioned in your letter and so, " he looks to Indra and nods, "perhaps a fine performance could help settle this?"
Meanwhile back at the lodde, the woman finally nears the end of her story after a non-stop tale which surely lasted at least twenty minutes. As the story wraps and you think she is about to let you go, she begins another story of a three month voyage in through the Inner Sea visiting port after port. She speaks quickly and without pause, not allowing you to get a word in edgewise. Thinking this will be a quick story, you are disappointed to see ten minutes later she still has yet to mention a yellowcap at all.
As Indra opens her mouth to speak there is a loud knock on the door right before it flies open. The clerk looks frantic and says, "Deeply sorry to interrupting sir, but we have a situation. The mayor just arrived and has summoned you down the hall immiedately."
Krinst sighs as the clerk shuts the door. "It looks like I'll take a raincheck on the performance." Turning to Ma'Huuk he nods, "I will accelerate your request, we will do what we can to treat it with as much urgency as possible. If you'll excuse me..." He steps away and leaves the office as he clerk steps in and escort you out.
After you success in town you head back to the manor. You arrive just in time to see a weary looking Several and Gaeldrung emerging from the manor, backpedaling and walking away from a rather animated woman as she speaks. The woman waves goodbye and offers to come visit them tonight to tell them of the time she visited Lord Hartnuk and his quest for the evervesent water of life.
The two groups converge and fill each other in on their status, Ma'
Huuk's group clearly proving more accomplished. As they enter their cottage the sound of breaking glass catches everyones attention. After a few quickly exchanged looks the party dashes up the stairs to investigate the source of the racket.
Upstairs, the group startles a young female goblin with bluish- gray skin and bits of bone jewelry. With a shriek, she jumps out of the window and disappears from sight.
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Indra was about to rise and begin her promised performance but the sudden inttereuption caused her to wait. As they were dismissed she asked the man, "Could I have a piece of paper and a quill a moment? I'll give you the address I am staying at." When it was written she handed him the paper and said, "Here you are, I don't know how long I will be in town but contact me and we will arrange for the promised performance."
The evident signs of break in caused Indra to pull back and allow the other's in first. She knew it was best if she stayed behind them and let them clear the rooms. They were more capable of warding off any physical attackers. When they saw the goblin take off she said, "Go! I will try to keep up as best I can."
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Collecting his rapier and dagger from the guards at the entrance, Bregan apologizes to Ma'Huuk. "Sorry friend nearly blew your chances back there, at least Indra's pretty face served you well.
Returning to the residences, Bregan is quiet taking in the sights, growing up in Absalom, he should have been used to it but Da never let him stray too far within the city. People could be cruel when left to their own prejudices. Thoughts though had returned to fonder times within the conquerer's park, the old wizard's tower shooting off fireworks and a magic show for all to see once a year as they entered to a resounding crash. "What the..!?"
Racing upstairs he follows the goblin out the window.
catching his toe on the window sill and falling back first to the yard below, breath gone and pretty fireworks going off in front of his eyes once more......
As both Ma'Huuk and Gaeldrung arrive shortly after the goblin, she squeeks and rushes forward to a crack in the manor wall. With little effort she guides her small frame through the crack and disappears into the busy street on the other side.
Indra moves down to the manor wall just in time to see Gaeldrung plant his foot on Ma'Huuks face and slide over the wall. On the other side of the wall the goblin shoves people aside and continues to push through the crowd.
Just as Gaeldrung moves through the busy street and advances on the fleeing goblin, he catches sight of her as she ducks between a rearing horses legs and continues to flee at a rapid pace. She seemingly is undeterred by the obstacles in her path unlike the party.
R4: Gobbie, Bregan, Ma'Huuk, Gaeldrung, Several, Indra
With a burst of agility and speed, Bregan blows past his comrades and quickly catches up to Gaeldrung just in time to see him struggle with the horse before him.
The small goblin heads towards the City Watch Patrol but steathily blends in with the crowd and is quickly hidden from sight. You catch her moving into the shadows as she slips into Nightsoil Alley.
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Dodging the rearing animals front legs, Bregan is caught completely off guard as Gaeldrung twist the animal to the side, completely missing the reins and catching a jawbone the size of a small plate on his forehead for the trouble. "umphh!"
Falling to a sitting position he then scrambles to avoid the creatures legs once more.
The goblin continues to flee, seemingly uncontested. As she reaches a corroded grate in the alley she tugs to pull it open, but it doesn't budge.
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Rnd 4
Indra found herself in a bad spot, she knew she couldn't reign in the horse so she had to duck between it's legs. She nearly managed the maneuver but at the last second pulled up short as the animal bucked almost taking her out. Determined to not b brought up short she focused on the thought of colors and the emotions of wonderment which caused a spray of colors to fly into the horse's face. She hoped the animal would be stilled long enough for her to get past it.
Rnd 5
With the horse now calmed, at least for the moment, Indra yelled out to it's master, "Sorry, chasing a thief." She darts around the horse and continued on after the goblin.
The sudden spray of color was utterly ignored by the agitated animal and so Indra was left with no choice but to try and dodge it once more. Unfortunately her attempt to bypass the animal caused it to lash out at her as she went to duck between it's legs and caused her to barely avoid the flailing hooves.