Hmm. These notes are puzzling. Someday I am gonna have to study linguistics so I can figure this stuff out.
Reva holds up a potion, staring at it curiously. She mutters a small prayer to detect magic.
"No idea - evocation magic like Blossom says. Well, good enough for now. I found the door to the belltower. I think there's a door in the north and then we should find the priest in charge of this place and figure out where the damn Pauper is."
Intrigued by the symbols and scribbles, Blossom takes the papers and pores over them as the others move to the bell tower and check out what Reva has found.
Not long after she says "I think I figured it out. It's a code. If I'm right, these papers are very incriminating evidence full of ledgers showing payments and activities related to the Splithog gang. This shows all the nasty things they had their hands in. And look, here are entries showing payment to Clegg Zincher and Boss Croat. They had some powerful friends."
Reva looks over Blossom's shoulder, moving a bit out of the way to avoid the twisting hair.
"This is excellent. Exactly what we need after Zincher almost killed that poor scullery boy. What exactly to do with these papers is another matter. You don't run a criminal enterprise without paying off a lot of gendarmes."
"I want to see the bell tower, I've never been in one before!"
Trig goes to the bell tower as Blossom and Reva inspect the papers, and climbs up to the belfry and looks around.
The climb into the bell tower is easy enough. A bell riddled with faint cracks hands within the drafty loft, a rope pull cord dangling below. Slatted arches in the tower's walls allow sound to escape, while keeping most of the harsh weather out. Trig finds waxy stumps of several candles, a coil of rope, and a metal grappling hook lying discarded on the floor.
Trig drops the rope and grappling hook to the floor below, and climbs back down. She brings the rope and hook to the rest of the group, figuring it might be useful in some way.
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Trig drops down the rope and grappling hook, taking away the emergency escape route of the gang.
Trig suggests they check out the north door in the hallway and gets ready to drop anyone who comes out.
"Anyone up here has been handled, let's check this last door and then head downstairs. If the Pauper is around here, he's going to be down there. At least I hope so. I have a knack for finding people."
With that Reva heads to the north door alongside Trig and yanks it open.
Saphren nods and follows, blade ready.
The last door on the second floor opens to reveal the cloisters. A simple timber partition splits this room into two bedrooms, each furnished with a modest bed, a plain writing desk and chair, a wardrobe, and a bookcase. The room to the west hosts a collection of empty wine bottles scattered all over, while the one to the east is fastidiously organized.
A book of Taldan poetry is open on the clean desk, while wooden holy symbols of Sarenrae are present on both sides of the room. A few holy texts line the bookcases which are mostly empty (except for wine bottles on one.)
Blossom peruses the holy texts inquiringly.
Reva pads around the cloisters and frowns a the wine bottle. "These might explain why the Pauper's gang have been set up here so easily. Drink is a terrible curse."
Reva gives the room a cursory search before looking to the others. "Let's go downstairs and - hopefully finish this."
"If he hasn't run away already... yes, let's go." Trig heads downstairs, the others presumably following.
Reva nods to Trig and waves her hand. "Let's go. If the priest is around maybe you can talk to him. I'll see if I can ferret out that bastard criminal."
Got me a funny feeling 'bout that priest… Saphren says as he falls in.
Reva begins to make her way down the stairs and looks over her shoulder to Saphren. "I am sincerely hoping the priest is not the Pauper. That said, if he is a true worshipper of Seranae I will see his aura and know immediately."
The holy text of Sarenrae looks authentic enough and doesn't appear to be of any unique or unusual value - just a prayer book.
You descend the curved staircase from teh cloisters to the mainfloor. The area here is dusty and apparently little used. The staircase ends in a small hall with double doors at the end. The doors are locked, and strangely a small metal bucket rests atop the doorframe, precariously balanced.
"What's that, a trap?" whispers Trig.
Saphren looks closely at the situation wondering himself what this might be. He will cautiously remove the bucket.
The bucket is filled with a deep red, but vinegary smelling cheap wine. It is obviously intended to fall on the head of anyone trying to unlock the doors from the other side.
Saphren sets the bucket down carefully in a corner where it will not be accidentally overturned and checks the door. If he finds no traps he will try to open it.
Jiggling the lock, and using his little set of tools, Saphren cannot pop the lock right away.
There are too many master locks in this house. I believe he owner has much to hide. Spahren says as he tries the lock a second time.
Reva stares incredulously down at the wine bucket. "Most master criminals do. I'm starting to think our priest may be a drunkard and this was a cruel joke."
Taking his time with the lock, Saphren is able to pop the mechanism after only about a minute of trying. The lock is obviously old and not much of a barrier to a determined entrant.
Opening the doors, you find yourselves at the rear of the mission's chapel. The modest area has a high-arched ceiling, a plain wooden pulpit, and less than a dozen worn-out pews. Several tapestries hang along the back walls, collages that depict a modest, hardworking life in a slum similar to the one outside the mission's doors. At the front of the chapel, high on the wall above the pulpit, hands a large wooden holy symbol of Sarenrae studded with orange and yellow flecks of glass.
Scores of downtrodden folks occupy the pews here, all seemingly searching for salvation. There are old widows kneeling devoutly, a group of sailors from a foreign port, and a scattering of others who look homeless and more thankful for th shelter than the salvation.
An elderly man, poorly kempt but dressed in clerical robes, staggers down the central aisle toward you. As he passes the congregation he stops and offers blessings to the faithful or downtrodden. He nods at you quizzically (considering the point of your entrance). Trailing the priest, and propping him up from time to time, is a younger, clean shaven man.
If he is a true priest I will see his aura.
Reva remains behind the others, keeping quiet to let someone a little more likeable speak. As she steps out her eyes subtly turn white before returning to their typical hard brown.
The priest approaches you now. "How came you down from our cloisters friends? We have been busy here serving the needs of the community, but that is not a normal path for our guests to take." he shrugs and smiles warmly at you. "At any rate, welcome to the Mission of St Casperian. I am Father Padrick and this is my capable lay assistant Jhonas. Can we get you some dinner? We have food in the soup kitchen if you are hungry."
Stepping forward, Trig tries to handle the matter delicately. She beckons the priest to bend down to her, then blinks a bit as his alcohol-smelling breath hits her nose.
"We're looking for Beltias. We understand he's been making trouble for you here... forcing you to provide him a refuge. There'll be no more of that here," she whispers.
Reva hangs back and leans in to whisper.
"They are true followers of Seranae and can be trusted. The old one is drunk. Someone talk to them while I keep an eye out."
With that she turns her gaze to the congregation, watching them carefully while she attempts to spot unusual behavior. Her eyes briefly darken.
At the elder priest's offer of food, Blossom brightens, bowing deeply. "Xièxiè," She pipes up, taking the two men by the hand. "That would be most kind. I'm afraid we've never been before, perhaps you would take us there?"
"...perfectly good kielbasa vaiting at the Goblin." he mutters, sourfaced. "Soup vould be... good. Have you anything to drink, old one?" Magnus says, with all of the reverence he can afford a human.
Breaking his bread, Magnus stares suspiciously around the temple. He leans in to his companions. " Vot is this... Sarenrae? Ve know of no such god in our lands."
As you beginning asking some delicate questions, Jhonas, the young assistant suggests everyone retire to the soup kitchen (Area 4).
Finding a table away from the others, Jhonas responds to Trig's mention of Beltias.
"Beltias Kreun has been a friend to this mission and it is through is donations that we are able to stay open here. In return, we give shelter to some of his friends who are unable to house themselves. There have been some rumors of evil-doing by Kreun's men, but I can't believe that. A man with that generous a heart couldn't perpetuate the crimes he is accused of."
The old priest confirms with a shaky nod of the head. "We support young master Kreun completely. Without his good grace, we would be closed here and all these fine people would be on the street. We would thank you to leave him be."
The soup kitchen serves a barely edible cabbage soup, but it's hot and provides some level of sustenance. You see others less fortunate eating it with relish. People freely pass in and out of the kitchen and chapel, now that the service is over.
Magnus frowns, lowering his voice. "I am beginning to think zis is not our fight. We heff bought the girl's kin a bit of peace, at least. Let the humans squabble." he says, sullenly sipping at his soup. He turns to his host. "Honored ksiądz, what do you make of this blot in the sky?" he says, mopping at his lips with his beard. "It has been weighing on my mind of late. My people know little of the heavens."
While they are heading to the kitchen, Trig whispers in dwarvish to Magnus:
Happy for a change of subject, Father Padrick looks at Magnus curiously. "The Dawnflower's magnificent sun holds pride of place in the heavens. This so-called Blot is a mark against the people of our Faith, and should be seen as a warning to the Faithless that the wicked ways of Riddleport are numbered and the judgement of Sarenrae is nigh. I can help absolve you of your burdens of sin, and make you right with Her Light, if you wish it, master dwarf. The Blot is an omen of Dark Times, you can count on that!"
Even as he speaks, a minor trembling earthquake strikes the city, shaking all more than is comfortable, but not enough to cause widespread damage. Even the old mission withstands the shaking better than expected, but the effect among the congregation is instantaneous. "Save us! Good Father, save our souls before Her Vengeance is enacted against this evil place."
Reva ignores the food and looks directly at Father Padrick.
"Our theology may differ but I do agree that Blot is a dark omen." As she settles in she gives the priest a level stare. "Father, these are gibberish to you, but look at me and know I am not lying." She shows her holy symbol and then displays some of the ciphered documents. "I swear by the Light of the Sword I know this to be true. Beltias was running a criminal enterprise with ties to larger gangs in the city. These ciphered documents show the connections and payments and are enough to completely incriminate him. He is a dangerous, violent criminal who has done his part to keep this part of the city in poverty. We were sent here by an impoverished, elderly couple that the Pauper was extorting."
"We have been busy upstairs. Beltias' gang has been captured and will be turned over to the gendarmes along with these documents and the code to decipher them. We just need Beltias who I believe may be hiding in plain sight. With that, his reign of terror can be at an end. Either way, his time here is already done."
She lets that sink in for a moment. "You will fear for the mission and the people it helps, and rightly so. He supported this place because it was a perfect cover for his criminality. I bear responsibility and will help ensure the mission receives funding and protect--- uh."
She looks over her shoulder. "Could somebody check on our friends upstairs? I just had a bad feeling."
"Wǒ huì zuò dào zhè yīdiǎn." Blossom chirps as she skips back up the stairs.
Saphren, unsure how to best help adds Yea! She speaks the truth. My word is good on the streets.
"Come on, hot stuff," says Trig to Magnus, beckoning him to follow Blossom with her just in case.
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The old father looks at you confused at first, but the slow light dawning in his wrinkled features. "You have conviction, dear girl. That much is certain! It could be as you say - that we have been fooled by a devious man, it could be..." he stops considering.
As the others rush off upstairs, the younger man, Jhonas sighs deeply. "We are trained to help others and to trust that our goodness will be reflected back. The donations and support for our mission perhaps has made us blind to the unsavory side of life in the Alley. Mayhap, we will be better off with a new patron."
Upstairs, the group finds the villains bound and tied just as they left them. No one seems to have been meddling where they don't belong.
"At the least, we will pray and augury on this," says the Priest, "but if it is as you say, we may have seen the last of Beltius Kreun here anyway." The clergy agree to contact you if any more is seen of the Splithog Pauper or his band of hooligans.
Before long, the gendarmes arrive and given the evidence arrayed against them, take the gang into custody; a citywide bulletin is put out for the Splithog Pauper, but no one seems to hopeful on catching the slippery fish.
With little else to do in the Alley, perhaps it is time for you to make your goodbye's and head back to your rest at the Gold Goblin?
Quietly bursting with pride but retaining her clam demeanour, Reva returns to the old couple to let them know that Spithog Alley is free of the influence of the Pauper and to let Delilah know if trouble returns.
On their way back to the casino, Reva glances over to the group, speaking haltingly while they pass through a quiet section of town. She checks to ensure they are not being listened in on.
"I don't say this easily, so shut it. I have been here so long on my mission without bearing any fruit that I was beginning to despair. It is impossible to honour my goddess working for scum in a crummy casino. I haven't unearthed any great evils, I've just beat up a few cheats."
She looks over her shoulder in the direction of the mission. "That may not have been your fight. But it was mine, and I needed to do that. Thank you for your help and I am indebted to all of you."
Saphren understands this kind of talk. Hey Reva, I got your back. Glad ta help. he says, meaning it.