Thaddeus simply sits back, nodding in appreciation as Saul inducts him into the group. He raises an eyebrow at Old Scratch. Old Horn is much less subtle, *BAAAH*ing in obvious contempt when Saul mentions the two of them.
His suspcion turns to amazed wonder as he looks at his pay. He's at first tempted to ask if he added this correctly. But, seeing as everyone else has been given considerable amounts of gold, Thaddeus simply stares at the coins for a while, still amazed at how much money flows in the big city. And how much seems to end up in his pockets.
And then Bofur divies up the treasure even more.
"Hmmm, Ah'm fairly new to th'city, but if'n yer lookin' fer an Alchemist, Ah may be able t'find one."
Once the party returns to the Gold Goblin, Fiona gratefully accepts her share of the loot & payment for working.
"My thanks. Now..." She turns to the items Bofur retrieved. "...let's see if I can learn anything about these items."
She hums another tune, causing her eyes to glow blue as she looks over Bofur's loot.
The type of enchantment the dagger & potion contain is on the tip of her tongue, but for now it seems to escape her.
----------------------
Later on, she tracks down the employee named Frederick. "I never got the chance to thank you properly for giving us the idea to get Cayden's church involved in this. Thanks to you, we're going to bring this place back to its former glory." She pats him on the shoulder.
----------------------
The coming week of performances, while enjoyable, aren't quite in the league of what her old performances were.
----------------------
Once she has a free moment, she approaches Samaritha.
"I don't believe I've made your acquaintance. I really should have before now--your skill with magics is quite exceptional." She takes a seat next to her. "Has Saul told you of me?"
Mutt smiles as he walks with the group back to the Gold Goblin. He looks down at Fetch who is walking with them. When they arrive, Mutt is approached by Fredrick and Michal. Fredrick smiles. "Hey, Boss. How'd it go wit' th' Publican Hous'?" Mutt nods at the two. "Very well. It led to a fight with the Splithog Pauper. But we won out and now have an ally." Michal whistles in amazement and Fredrick gains a huge smile. "You lot took ou' th' Pauper!? Wow! That's amazin'! I..." It's then that the two notice Fetch. "Uh... Boss? Why do you hav' a dog wit' you?" Looking at Fetch, Mutt replies, "Fredrick. Michal. This is Fetch. He used to belong to the Pauper's gang. I've... adopted him." Both bouncers raise their brows in shock. "You'v'... adopted a three legged dog?" Mutt narrows his eyes at Fredrick. "Not tha' there's anythin' wrong wit' tha'! It's jus'... odd, to say th' leas'." Mutt nods. "Yeah. It would seem like something I wouldn't do. But, I've always wanted a dog." Both Mutt and Fredrick look down at Michal petting Fetch and smile.
That night, Mutt brings Fetch to his room. He sets up his blanket at the foot of his bed and has Fetch lay on that. Mutt says good night and goes to bed.
Mutt takes the money of his cut. "Thanks. I can't use those tools. I prefer to hit things and bring down doors. I also can't identify that substance. As for the dagger, I prefer harder hitting weapons."
Mutt does his job as the bouncer, throwing out those who cause problems. He also tries to set up his tournament.
You take some time to study and cast a spell to decipher the notes. It turns out these are the detailed notes of a low-level, but very skilled criminal. The Pauper kept a regular supply of very cheap flayleaf coming in to Splithog Alley, and then on top of that used his gang to extort work or money out of all of the locals. He made the ancient mistake of robbing poor people, but he did rule that alley like a God.
You then make your way back to St. Caspieran's the next day. You are greeted by the older priest, who seems sober and miserable. He claims that the shock of what happened yesterday is forcing him to clean up and repent for his willing blindness. He says with the gang gone, several people have cleared out, giving them more time to work with the poor remain.
Finally, you meet up with the old bird man, who hasn't really left the roost for his pigeons. Pidge is grateful for the company and pigeon food and says that the mission has allowed him to stay. He is saddened by the death of Beltias, who was kind to him, but understand that he was being used. He says that the pigeons are yours to use whenever you so wish.
With Fetch and Old Horn moving in, Larur mutters something about turning the casino into an animal sanctuary, but the kindly dwarf seems to take a special liking to Fetch and makes sure the dog is well-fed by the kitchen.
Frederick is delighted by the praise, and appears quite deferential to Mutt and Fiona. His loyalty has certainly been won.
------------------
Fiona spends some of her free time (and hard-earned cash) during the week to write some scrolls of healing.
Thaddeus is relieved to see the priest attempting to clean up his act. He even volunteers a few hours a week to help things along, especially to help things settle back down to normal after such a disturbance.
"Mine? Ah, naw, naw, naw. Them's yer pidgeons. Doubt dey'd even listen t'me. 'Sides, I'm not aimin' to make a profit m'self, but to see yeh makin' an honest livin' for yerself. 'Course, dat depends on how smart dem pidgeons really are."
Thaddeus inquires as to how the pigeons work when delivering letters. Is there only a few hotspots they know of? And how much work would it take to train them to go other places?
"Ah, pardon me, milady. Larur learned o' my Pan pipes, an' told me Ah could help out 'round here bah givin' yeh some a-come-punny-mint while y'sing. Now gotta admit Ah' ain't nearly as good wit' mah pipes as yeh are with yer voice, but Ah can at least carry a tune. But first Ah should know what kinds o' tunes ye'd perfer."
Thaddeus is perhaps a little overeager to help out around the Gold Goblin, often volunteering to help out the staff with more mundane duties, such as sweeping floors or carrying dishes.
When not sleeping in Thaddeus' room, Old Horn tends to stay outside by the Scullery, doing his part to keep the place clean by devouring most of the leftovers and kitchen waste.
Bofur performs his duties diligently, keeping a sharp eye out for cheaters and troublemakers, but he seems to be spending a lot of his off time in his room. The others might notice that he occasionally has ink stains on his fingers and once there's a smudge on his ear.
He offers Saul's assistant (name forgotten) help tending the creatures for the ring below, eager to ensure that they are treated better than humanely.
During a shopping run, he picks up another case of bolts, plenty of paper and ink and a couple of ink pens, which he quickly puts in his backpack. While out he attempts to hear word on the street of foul play and mischief instigated by anyone who seems unusual or overly powerful. He still suspects there might be fiendish plots in play in Riddleport.
You find Samaritha sewing her gear in the back, she smiles over to you.
"Honestly, I've barely met Saul. Most of my work here has been through Larur. Why do you ask?"
Bojask is often out acting as Saul's personal bodyguard, but when you do find him, he proves immediately to be a royal pain to work with. The man is drunk, disgusting to be around, and absolutely confused that you have any intention of treating the animals well, as well as a little threatened by your sudden interest in his livelihood. He is constantly accompanied by a dangerous-looking boar called Pigsaw.
You do some work to clean out the filth around the animal cages, which Bojask doesn't seem interesting in helping with, but he at least doesn't stop you. After some hard work the conditions are all ready better. Some fresh feed rather than the maggoty garbage, and the animals will be doing far better.
The imp lounges around in the upstairs some of the time, but tends not to go far. It is kept in the cage for special events, rather than the other way around, although Saul locks Old Scratch up on occasion when the imp proves a nuisance. You don't really see too much of it.
There's a variety of costumes, although not all are in good repair. You can dress pretty much as you'd wish though.
You can add the 5gp.
Any 1st level scroll is available for purchase at the Cyphermage guild hall. You won't run into trouble finding scrolls until you go above 3rd level.
You set to work roughing up troublemakers and do a decent job over the week. The other guards seem to work well with you, a mixture of respect for your ferocity and generosity when you're not breaking faces. The Goblin looks like its on its way to having a reputation as a safe place to gamble. The no-weapons policy enforced by Saul, although unusual in Riddleport, certainly makes your job a lot easier.
You take some time to get the goods from the Pauper identified. In total you get three potions of spider climb, a +1 dagger, and a wand of shocking grasp with 32 charges remaining. The Pauper didn't have any poison on him, although its easy enough to find in Riddleport, being openly sold in the Docks District.
When meeting up with the others in passing during the week, Variel tells them what the items found on the Pauper were , and asks if any of them were interested in anything in particular.
"Hmm, can't rightly use that dere wand. Th' potions should pro'bly be divvied up, if'n we have three of 'em. As for dat there dagger, while Ah kin certainly use it, Ah think one o' our more physical mates should take it, least as a backup if nothin' else."
"Oh, and jus' t'keep yeh all informed, Ah looked at dem notes from the Pauper's room. Guy was running a flayleaf operation, gettin' it cheap and 'den using his funds to bully all the poor 'round him into workin' fer him. Don't seem like he had any bigger connections, though. Leastwise he kept it off his notes."
Thaddeus only recently learned of the basement, and the fact that they keep animals down there. While not fond of the idea of using the animals for gladitorial combat, Thaddeus still offers to help Bofur out in taking care of them. While not a trained animal handler, Thaddeus' farming knowledge at least gives him a general idea of how to keep animals in relatively clean conditions and take care of them.
Thaddeus also warns Old Horn to watch out for Bojask, not trusting the man after hearing of the way he kept the animals. He's also a little paranoid that Bojask might try grabbing any closeby animal to fill the pens.
Thaddeus, after getting a feel for how the place works, seeks out Mutt.
"Ah, pardon me, dere, Mutt. Jus'n to keep yeh informed, since yer th' Head Bouncer 'round here. Ah'm guessin' yer the sort that don't mind crackin' a few heads if need be, but Ah kin sometimes stop an' unruly guest 'fore he gets a little too excited. Put 'im to sleep, specifically. Ah'm sure y'know that endin' a fight 'fore it starts kin spare a lot o'work cleanin' up afterwards. Not always guaranteed to work, but it's worth o' shot, right?"
Unfortunately not too much seems to be known about the Blot. The Cyphermages have been obsessively trying to investigate it, but if they've found anything, they keep it close to their chest. It appeared over Riddleport around a month ago and has remained in the sky ever since. It has changed in size and shapes and has even disappeared intermittently, but has always returned after several hours.
The overlord has also offered a 500 gp reward to anyone who can determine what the Blot is or if it is a threat.
Riddleport has a long history of mysterious phenomena connected to its infamous Cyphergate Riddle - the long-sought hidden purpose of the stone arch that rises over the harbor. Old accounts tell of strange lights
moving in the sky and sounds issuing forth from it without explanation. The manifestation of a shadow in the sky is something new, though.
As for the Blot, no known magical traditions explain the existence of the hovering shadow, and it does not bear the trappings of any known spell. That said, you heard the wizard Argentus Blakely (a noted Cyphergate scholar) postulated that the Blot is some sort of convergence for focusing arcane energies. He has yet to prove his hypothesis but is running experiments to test the validity. As it is the only theory anybody takes seriously, many have clung to it, despite the fact it is not evidenced.
"Ah, pardon me, milady. Larur learned o' my Pan pipes, an' told me Ah could help out 'round here bah givin' yeh some a-come-punny-mint while y'sing. Now gotta admit Ah' ain't nearly as good wit' mah pipes as yeh are with yer voice, but Ah can at least carry a tune. But first Ah should know what kinds o' tunes ye'd perfer."
Fiona shrugs. "I can sing whatever tunes you can think of, sir. Normally, my singing is accompanied by drums by Shoanti custom, but I can adapt easily enough."
-------------"Honestly, I've barely met Saul. Most of my work here has been through Larur. Why do you ask?"
Fiona shrugs. "No real reason--I just thought I hadn't yet properly introduced myself to you. I'm Fiona." She gives the mage a nod. "Are you enjoying yourself here?"
Samaritha smiles back, she stands out in the casino being a half-elf, and well-dressed. Her face bears Varisian tattoos. She's immaculately clean and in the little bit you've observed of her, she spends a lot of her down time tidying up and seems to hate being dirty.
"Hello Fiona, you have a lovely voice. And .. well, I never thought I'd find myself working for a casino in the docks of Riddleport. I came here to join the Cyphermages and learn about the arch, but there are no apprentice spots. So I tried for respectable work - none of that unless you want to die in the gas forges. Now I find myself here. But it's far better than I thought it would be. Mutt's men keep the louts away from me."
"Sir? Heh, dat's a new one. Anyways, Ah think it's best if'n yeh teach me th' meloldies ye'd perfer. If yer th'one singin', yeh should be th'one takin' the lead, so's to say."
"Pro'bly best Ah find a costume r'somethin'. Doubt mah dusty ol' clothes here would look good wit'.... err, what is it yeh wear when yeh perform?"
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A few days later, Mutt is doing some last minute security checks before heading to bed. Fetch is walking with him. That's when he hears a call. "Hey, Boss! C'mon over her' for a minut'!" He looks over to see Fredrick waving him over to the table he's sitting at. With him is Michal and about 4 other bouncers. Mutt walks over and takes a seat, Fetch laying down at his feet. Fredrick nods and says, "It has occurred to me tha' you really haven't met th' rest of th' guys." He gestures to himself and Michal. "Me an' Michal, you already know." He then introduces the rest. He points to the largest bouncer. "That's Bjorn."
Bjorn is a large Ulfen man. His blonde hair is long and wild. His body seems to be built in a similar manner as Mutts: strong and powerful. The oddest thing about him is his left leg, or rather, his lack of a leg. Just below the knee, there is a peg leg. However, this one looks like a table leg. He takes a long drink of his ale and laughs. "AHAHAHA! Good to finally meet you! I've been hearing some good things about you! Quite the fighter, I hear! I like you, sir!" He then takes another drink.
Fredrick then points to the next bouncer. "That's Twitches." The young man is of Varisian descent. He's constantly looking around, his body shaking. He's a skinny and short man. His black hair is short, but sticking up in quite a few places. The shaking seems to increase when he locks eyes with Mutt.
The next bouncer Fredrick introduces as Sam. Another man of Varisian heritage, Sam seems to be laid back. His hair is also black, but cleaner and tied into a ponytail. His skin is blemish freem besides a scar across his eye. He smirks, showing confidence. "Well, it's a pleasure to finally meet my boss on a personal level. Good to meet you, Sir Mutt."
Finally, there's Zhen, a Tian-Dian man. He's the shortest one of the group, standing at 5'4". He wears his hair in a high ponytail and bandana around his forehead and prefers simplistic clothes.
Mutt nods at each of them and takes a tankard of ale. Fredrick says to Mutt, "So, lik' I was tellin' them, it was a nice mov' of you to gain the alliance o' the Publican Hous'." Sam just smirks and leans back in his seat. "Yes. Very smart move there, Fred. I must wonder how you managed a meeting between our boss and the head priest in such a short amount of time." Michal gives a smirk as Fredrick's face turns red. "Well... tha's... uh... well, I... uh..." It's then that Twitches speaks up. "H-He managed t-to a-arrange it b-because h-h-he's dating one o-of t-the p-priests." Twitches then shrinks in his chair.
Fredrick's face turns even redder as Bjorn laughs. "AHAHAHA! So, you're seeing one of the priests, huh?! Good on you, kid! So, what's she like?" He props his head on his hand on the table, giving a smirk. Fredrick stops stammering and says, "Well, we'v' been dating' for nearly a year now."
Mutt smirks. He then turns to the others and asks, "So, I must ask. What have you all done to wind up working here?" They all look at each other. Bjorn is the first to answer. "I used to be a sailor in the Linnorm Lands! I was working on a ship to Riddleport. Got my leg bit off by a jigsaw shark! Don't worry! I took care of that b*****d! AHAHAHAHA! Anyway, after that, I decided to live here! I still work as a sailor, but mostly, I work here." He then takes another swig of his ale.
Twitches just shivers in his seat. Zhen speaks up in his thick Tian accent. "Twitches used to be a sailor. He got fired for some thefts on board. He then decided to take that up as a career. He wasn't very good. Got smacked around by the bigger gangsters here. So, he decided to go straight and take up a job here. He's still scared out of his wits."
Zhen then addresses himself. "I immigrated from Tian Xia. I started out working at a local general store as a clerk. However, I needed more income to survive. I'm not particularly strong. But I'm fast."
Sam then shrugs. "Oh? Is it my turn, then? Well, unlike my two other coworkers, I wasn't a sailor. I started out as an acolyte to the local church of Calistria. But, unfortunately, I found that wasn't to my liking. I then worked at Zincher's business." He holds up his hand when Mutt is about to shout at him. "Do not worry, my friend. I'm not spying for him. I hold no love for him. Our parting was on... bad terms. Anyway, I now work here. You may command me as you wish."
Fredrick then turns to Mutt. "I was unemployed. This was my opportunity for a job." He then points at Michal. "This guy, however, also works at the tailor's that his wife owns, along with his two kids." Mutt raises a brow in interest. Fredrick continues. "Oh, yeah. He has a real talent for sewin'. Michal and I hav' been friends since we wer' kids. Always liked to sew." Fredrick takes another swig of his ale, while Michal gets a smug smile, proud of his work.
Bjorn takes another swig of his ale before asking Mutt (with a smirk), "So, Mutt. I have to ask. What do you know about that woman you hang with, Fiona?" Sam then gives his own smirk. "Yes. Tell us more about Fiona. Quite the remarkable woman." Mutt shrugs. "Don't know her all that much. If you want to talk to her, go ahead. But don't be surprised if she resists your urges. She's a fighter. She cracked the Pauper's neck with her weapon." Everyone winces at that, besides Bjorn, who smiles and says, "Hot." Sam shrugs and says, "Still worth a shot. Unless... you two are... involved." He ends that with a smirk. Mutt merely narrows his eyes at Sam. Sam nervously says, "R-Right. Never mind."
Fredrick decides to change the subject. "Boss. Do you remember when I also brough' up gettin' a meetin' wit' the Temple of Calistria? I think you shoul' go through wit' it. A meetin' can be arranged quickly. Michal's cousin is a priestess at th' Hous' of th' Silken Veil." At this, Michal nods. Mutt says, "I'll consider it." He thenstands up and head back to his room, Fetch following.
When Thaddeus brings up his idea to put the troublemakers to sleep first, Mutt scratches his chin in thought. "An interesting idea. Let's see if it works."
Later on, Mutt approaches Thaddeus. "You. You're smart, right? Tell me: is there a way to fix Fetch's missing leg?"
Mutt picks up the dagger when Thaddeus shares his thoughts. "If that's the case, then I'll take this. I'll also take one of those potions."
Over the week, Mutt makes his way through market. He finds interest in a potion of healing. He also buys some things for Fetch.
Hearing that someone has at least a theory to work from, Variel takes some time to look up this Argentus Blakely.
"Hello Fiona, you have a lovely voice. And .. well, I never thought I'd find myself working for a casino in the docks of Riddleport. I came here to join the Cyphermages and learn about the arch, but there are no apprentice spots. So I tried for respectable work - none of that unless you want to die in the gas forges. Now I find myself here. But it's far better than I thought it would be. Mutt's men keep the louts away from me."
"As they very well should." Fiona scratches her head. "I haven't had much trouble with them--they've made one or two catcalls at me, but considering some of the performances I put on before you came here, I suppose I shouldn't have expected much better." She gives a nonchalant shrug.
"Pro'bly best Ah find a costume r'somethin'. Doubt mah dusty ol' clothes here would look good wit'.... err, what is it yeh wear when yeh perform?"
"Well, there was that one time I dressed up as a succubus for the Gold Goblin's reopening night..." Fiona lets that sentence sink in before chuckling. "Oh, but I only save that for special occasions. I normally perform in something classier."
When Thaddeus brings up his idea to put the troublemakers to sleep first, Mutt scratches his chin in thought. "An interesting idea. Let's see if it works."
"Well, like Ah said, it ain't a guarantee, but if it kin end a fight 'fore it starts, Ah'll shore give it a try."
Later on, Mutt approaches Thaddeus. "You. You're smart, right? Tell me: is there a way to fix Fetch's missing leg?"
"Hmm...." Thaddeus raises an eyebrow and looks up in contemplation, digging through his scattered magical knowledge, "Ah've heard o' powerful magicks dat can regrow missin' limbs, body parts, 'n so on. Ah'd have to do a lil' research, but whut Ah kin' tell yeh now issat it's a veeery powerful spell. Likely pretty pricey to get sumone t'cast it, if'n yeh kin find someone who could cast it at all. Shure not sum'tin Ah kin kast at th'moment."
Thaddeus looks down at Fetch. "Awfully nice o' you to be lookin' out fer Fetch like 'dat, gotta say."
"Say, Mutt... If'n yeh don't mind me askin'... If Mutt's jus' a title an' an insult... Why don't yeh call yerself som'thin else? Ah don't like how Ah'm always insultin' yeh when Ah call yeh. If not yer real name, maybe sum utter title. Not like it'd make any difference t'the rest o'us what yeh in-tro-duce yerself as."
--------
"Well, there was that one time I dressed up as a succubus for the Gold Goblin's reopening night..." Fiona lets that sentence sink in before chuckling. "Oh, but I only save that for special occasions. I normally perform in something classier."
"Suck-ewe-bus?" Thaddeus says in confusion as he digs through the costumes, "Think Ah recall m'old Pastor sayin' some'tin 'bout dat. Ah, think it was a kind 'o devil? 'R was 'dat a demon? But how d'yeh dress up... as... a..."
Thaddeus' speech is slowed to a stop as he pulls out the succubus outfit in question. He holds it up, staring at the limited outfit in stunned amazement.
"Uhh..."
He stares momentarily before looking over at Fiona, at which point, remembering who he was with, he blushes brightly and stammers as he tosses the outfit back into the pile.
"Uh, right, right! Classy, classy! Gotta find som'tin classy!" He furiously digs through the costume pile, mostly trying to put some figurative distance between himself and his recent faux-pas.
--------
Fiona bursts out laughing as Thaddeus throws her succubus costume on the pile of clothes. "Oh, don't worry so much about it. Here, let me help."
She starts digging through the pile of clothes, occasionally holding up various robes of varying colours and designs before putting them aside. She eventually finds her red dress ensemble--a slinky red dress, slit up to her thighs and with elbow-length gloves.
"Ah--here it is. This is what I wear on stage when I'm performing normally."
As you talk with the five bouncers in the Goblin, you notice Larur and Hans, the two guards for the cash cage watching the conversation closely. They scatter to head home shortly thereafter.
Argentus Blakely is a well-known name as a senior Cyphermage. However, he spends most of his time holed up in the Cypherlodge in deep thought about various things. You don't manage to catch him out.
Samaritha grins wickedly. "I heard tell. Well, we all have to do our part to put on the best show on the docks. Let me know if you need anything. This is a tough neighbourhood and we need to look out for one another."
With that, she waves at you and bids farewell to head home for rest.
Flush with more money than you've ever seen, you take off to the Cypherlodge to purchase some scrolls. The entertainment and life of this city is... rough, as you walk past some incredible poverty but interesting splashes of culture as you see street poets, musicians, and colourful swindlers all of which manage to lift a few silvers off of you.
The week passes well, with Fiona and Thaddeus' double act drawing a good deal of attention. Mutt's bouncers appear to be working as a coordinated force, and trouble-making is at an all time low. Bofur's keen eyes spot a few cheaters from the catwalks, and the Gold Goblin appears to be working well. Finally, the good-natured drunks of Cayden Cailean pour in and have a good time, the combined efforts of the groups ensuring a good time for all.
After a period of inactivity, the Octahedron opens up. Thanks to Bofur's efforts the animals are all ready in better shape and it continues to help out the business.
One week later, on Sunday, Saul summons all of you to his offices upstairs. He looks grim.
"Ahh... colleagues. First off, your pay for the week. We're turning a profit now and so a good fifteen gold each. Splendid work, just splendid. However, ah.."
He looks bashful.
"Larur Feldin is missing. The last I knew, he was going to stop by the office of a local moneylender to pay off a sizeable amount of debt that I owed. He did not show up to a meeting yesterday, and when I sent a runner to his flat I found it was empty and burgled. No sign of him."
Saul paces as he speaks.
"I am afraid that something has happened to him, and it may have to do with Lymas Smeed, the moneylender Larur was going to visit. He.. well, was part of how I managed to refurbish the Gold Goblin - I took out a loan using the casino itself as collateral. Two thousand gold - Larur was to pay back 500 of it. The word on the street is that Smeed works for Clegg Zincher, and I am afraid Larur was used to send me a message. I beseech you - could you investigate the veracity of this? You are my men and women on the street. I am very afraid for my friend."
Bofur thanks Thaddeus for this assistance. The man's farming background endears him to Bofur, who enjoys simple, unrushed pleasures like drinking tea and watching the sun set.
Disappointment soon grows to disgust and dislike as he determines the degree of neglect the 'animal handler' has shown his charges. At the next opportunity, he pulls Saul aside.
"Seems we got us a problem, Saul. Yer friend downstairs ain't been doin' his job, leastwise as far as takin' care of the combatants is concerned. Now, I don't mind takin' over the care duties 'cause I like nature's creatures, but he's another story. We'd better find somethin' else for him and his boar to do. You have him runnin' errands a lot, so I suppose you'd know: What else is he good at?"
Mutt narrows his eyes at the two guards. 'Something's up.'
Since Mutt wants to put on his tournament, he decides to aid in the Octahedron with Bofur, bringing the idea up to Bojask from time to time.
Mutt nods at Thaddeus's explanations of magic. When he compliments Mutt on how much he cares about Fetch, Mutt merely smiles and pets the dog on the head. "Well, he's my dog. First I've ever had. So I would like to do this right."
When Thaddeus asks about Mutt changing his name, Mutt frowns. "It's... not that easy. Like I've said, I was a pit fighter in Kaer Maga. When I started, I had no name. No parents, no name. When I first entered the arena, I was introduced as 'Mutt' due to my mixed heritage, being varisian and shoanti. It was most likely some kind of slur, meant to be funny. However, the name just... stuck. It has pretty much become my name." He raises a brow. "Unless you or the others can think of a different name for me?"
Mutt takes his cut of the profits. When Saul brings up the fact that Larur is missing, Mutt nods. "Is there anything we need to know? Like, should we be expecting a fight?" He narrows his eyes. "And should we expect Zincher there?"
Variel shakes his head as Saul explains about Larur. How this city doesn't just collapse in on itself from all the crime and corruption is a mystery...
"How long has it been since you heard from Larur? And has Smeed contacted you or sent any messages since then?"
Fiona folds her arms and listens to Saul. "Hmm. I found Larur to be a good boss. When did he disappear?"
"Did Larur have the 500 gold on him when he went missing? Be happy to look into it. Where does this Smeed live or do business? And where's Larur's flat? There might be clues... especially if it was meant to send you a message." After a pause, he adds, "Thanks for the cut, by the way."
"Diffr'nt name? Ah suppose if we put our heads togehter, we could come up with a bunch 'o names. But yer name should be som'thin you want t'be called. Name, title, whatev'r. Better th'n us namin' yeh like we own yeh. Ah could share a few names, like Bors, 'r Tobias, 'r Colvyn, but yeh should be th'one t'pick it!"
Thaddeus stands back, listening, letting everyone else begin the investigation. His features harden a little. Larur was a hard worker and a respectable man. Dwarf. Whatever. Hearing him disappear like that was troubling.
"Well, 'sides from his flat, we should pro'bly check out this Smeed character. If it was one place we know Larur was goin', we may be able t'retrace his steps. An' maybe find out som'tin if'n he got waylaid dere."
"Last night, I can give you directions to his flat, it's not too far from here. And he did have the money on him," says Saul unhappily.
Mutt remains silent as the conversation continues, hoping they can get going soon.
Saul looks around and spreads his hands.
"Good people, I thank you for looking in to this. And Bofur, I will speak with Bojask. I tend to avoid the octahedron as it disagrees with my constitution and he has likely let things slip. Thank you for bringing this to my attention."
With that Saul, waddles away.
"Well, let's start by checking his home, then if we don't find anything to suggest a different course we can go talk to Smeed."
The group make their way over to Larur's flat with Old Horn trotting along discontentedly. The building is a respectable old brick building in a dilapidated neighbourhood. The key given to you by Saul fits to the front door and you soon find yourself in a completely ransacked apartment. What may have once been a very neat and carefully-appointed place to live is now a wreck. The apartment has been torn apart and stripped of anything that looks remotely valuable.
"Well, let's see if there's anything left to find ..."
Fiona wordlessly takes in the carnage, one hand tightening around the grip of her earthbreaker.
"...this is not reassuring."
Fiona opts to aid Variel in searching the place. As they work, she slips three sheets of parchment from one of her pockets.
"I had some free time the other day, so I scribed these. They're healing scrolls--just in case we run into more trouble." She holds them up. "Anyone want one?"
"While I am able to cast a similar spell, in all my years I have not learned how to read the magic of scrolls yet. I should work on that..."
Mutt looks around at the trashed place. His grip tightens around his greataxe. "If there is anyone still here, I will take them out," he mutters. He aids in Variel and Fiona's search.
When Fiona brings out her scrolls, Mutt shakes his head. "I've never had a need for scrolls. Can't read them our use them."
"If'n yer offerin', dere, Ah'll shore take 'un of those." Thaddeus takes one of the scrolls. Though seeing that noone else grabs them, he contemplates. "Err... Should Ah take two, 'den?"
Thaddeus considers searching the apartment, but before he dives in, a thought comes to mind. He says to the group, at least somewhat quietly "Ah'm gonna keep an eye outside. See if'n anyone's watchin' th'place."
He then steps outside with Old Horn, scanning the area.
The group take their time going over the area. Larur seemed to live a fairly spartan lifestyle. The bedroom had a straw-stuffed mattress which has been slashed open, and a small chest which has had the lock busted off and the contents looted. The main living area had a few chairs and a shelf with a few books on local history which are partially destroyed, scattered across the room. The hearth is cold with no signs of recent use, and even some of the coals have been dragged out during the ransacking of the apartment.
Unfortunately, nothing that appears to be of significance or value is found.
Bofur thinks about helping the others look around...
...but then he says F it and just takes in the scene.
"Anyone else get the idea people were lookin' for something specific? The man supposedly had 500 gp on him, so why tear apart the mattress or search the hearth? Saul might have been right about 'sending a message'."
"I'm not sure what I was hoping to find, but it clearly isn't here. I suppose we will have to go pay a visit to Smeed and ask if he has seen our friend."
Fiona sighs after she hands off two of her healing scrolls to Thaddeus. "It seems that way. I thought we might be able to pick up his trail here, but clearly I was wrong."
"Let's look at the positive, though. I don't see any blood stains or body parts."
Mutt nods at the suggestions. "There's nothing here. No signs about Larur's whereabouts or why they ransacked this place. This must be some kind of threat. We need to talk to this Smeed."
The group finally head to the delightfully named Rat Street, their directions leading to a townhouse in the tenements. A sign proudly shows outside of the front door with a stack of coins.
The townhouse also faces into a back alley, where a second door leads in, surrounded by barrels and old crates.
Thaddeus notes the door in the back alley.
"Thinkin' one o'us should stay by that door, jus'in case he makes a break fer'it."
Mutt snorts. "I say we all swarm in. Breaking down the door! I'm faster than most people, so he won't escape me!"
When Thaddeus notes the back door, Mutt walks over to the door. "It's surrounded by barrels and boxes. He wouldn't be escaping out the back. Although, maybe we could sabotage the door. Make it tough to open." He then groans. "You lot have gotten to me!" He makes sure to keep an eye out for anything.
Mutt starts poking around the area as he keeps an eye out, and he feels a sudden sickness in his stomach. As he stares into the back alley he notices a barrel with something sticking out of it. The edge of a green cloak, trimmed in sable. He instantly recognizes it as Larur's - he was never seen without it.