The thug jerks a thumb toward the building. Boss Jenk is upstairs in his office, ma'am the thug says deferentially.
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Luisila sizes up the mercenary doing the talking, and casually flicks her ponytail back over her shoulder. She whispers to Zynep, JUST loud enough for the mercenaries to overhear
“Don’t give me that look, Raven. These ones will at least have to tell me their names … Does my warpaint need enhancing, darling?”
*Innocently* “Hello there! They call me ‘Lady’ … I’m new in town. I’m not sure I’ve met you or … all your friends before.”
Luisila indicates the ‘Under New Management’ sign and confides to them:
“To further my career, I’m always looking for ways to avoid the pitfalls that may have brought others low. As I rise in the organization, I tend to remember the people that have helped me along the way and can be very … grateful in return.”
“Who were the old managers and what did they do to get them … moved on?”
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Roland, aka 'Geraldo' follows along quietly, giving the thugs a stern look but not saying anything to them.
The ladies are convincing and comfortable playing their parts ..I would be afraid of saying something that would betray our mission. Roland, you have lots to learn at this old boy...I mean Geraldo...gotta keep reminding myself to think in terms of an Aspis agent.
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I did forget to add the Boon +2 in the check above for Diplomacy (Gather Info) also … How about a +2 roleplay bonus? Huh, Huh? ;)
Seriously, I’m having a blast and if I don’t get the 2PP it’s *absolutely* no worries :)
If a vacancy comes up for a VO in your area, you’re interested and you don’t get considered, I’ll be surprised :)
Now then let’s try …
Luisila makes a pointed but desperate glance at ‘Raven’ and ‘Thestil.'
“Oh come on, ladies – in the corporate world there’s no ‘I’ in ‘Team’ you know?”
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Raven is taken aback by the the sudden inquiry of her companion. With a smile and a twinkle of her fingers, she casts Enhance Diplomacy on Lady. Raven tries to follow suit with where Lady is going with this line questioning.
"A good question, deserving a good answer. What say you, darling? I so desperately would like to know what happened to the old owners. After all, kind responds in kind."
Raven says this last part while fingering center cut of her dress.
The thug looks at Ernest, standing amid the group of women with a bit of envy in his eye. Yes ma'am, sir. My name is Poe, the ones over there by the wagon are Jules, Edgar, and Doyle. The two loading are Verne and Allen. The fella we worked for before Jenk came was called Conan, but he alway made us call him Sir Arthur. Funny fellow he was, always reading about fairies and communin' with the dead. That's all I can tell ya, hope that helps. He gives a nod and heads back to help his companions.
The party proceeds into the building and making there way upstairs. Entering Jenk's office they find Vidrin Jenk stnading at his desk. Jenk looks like a snappish, sharpnosed administrator dressed in the elaborate finery of a merchant-prince. He stands behind a desk strewn with contracts and ledgers, doing his best to read multiple papers at once.
He glances up when the party enters. Yes? Who are you? He seems to count the number of the party members. Shadowtongue's group I assume? Which one of you is Thestil? I see your all wearing your badges, that's good.
Jenk stares sternly at Linnea for a long moment before breaking into a wide smile. Well I have to admit, your not what I expected Thestil, but that's probably what makes you and your crew so good, eh? He gives Linnea a hearty slap on the back. Actually none of you are what you are what I expected...except maybe you two. he says, nodding at Varg and Roland. Anyway, let me get down to business and not waste time. Time is money, I don't have to tell you.
Jenk goes back to his desk and begins shuffling papers. I'll tell you, the Consortium has had difficulties with our "contractors". By contractor I mean the cult of Lissala. I want to present goodwill gifts to the cult, but collecting these gifts will take some legwork and possibly some “coercive negotiation.” He raises his eyebrows meaningfully. The Consortium has loaned all three major temples in Riddleport money in the past and now the interest is due. I don't care about the interest. I have sent missives to all three, directing them to pay their back-due interest in the form of religious icons or magic items. Your job is to go pick up the items and bring them back to me. If you do good job and are successful, I might even have you deliver them for me.
He begins to pace the room. The religious institutions are the House of the Silken Veil, temple to Calistria, where you’ll pick up a magical dagger. The Publican House, temple to Cayden Cailean, where you retrieve a sacred mug. Lastly, the Fish Bowl, temple to Besmara, to get a magical bicorne hat. I don’t care which order you retrieve the items, just get them.
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Roland stays silent, thinking to himself...
This is exactly the type of thuggery that I would expect of the cursed Aspis. Oh, and did Linnea, I mean Thestle just call me Gerlado? Do I go by that name now? I hope nobody asks me my name. I am getting confused by all the names. But the Aspis are still jerks.
"Definitely! "
Oh $#:+ , I just said that out loud. Gotta keep quiet."
Jenk looks a little taken aback, but ste forth trying to answer all the questions. Sure the temples might be a little reticent in handing over the items. That's what I brought you in for. They know someone is coming to pick up the items, I explained that in my missive to them. You need to do whatever is needed to obtain the items. Don't want the Consortium to be labeled soft now do we? he says as he rubs his hands together. [n]Anything else?[/b]
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Zynep whispers under her breath, Nerds.
... Don't want the Consortium to be labeled soft ...
Luisila glances at her own bronze badge and then Jenk’s silver one and shakes her head almost imperceptibly.
*VERY Sweetly* “Do have our Performance Bonus ready once we hit our Key Performance Indicators, won’t you, Boss-man.”
“Having to liquidate underperforming assets always upsets me. Have a nice day.”
To Linnea when they leave … “I don’t mind where we go first, Guv. Wet work always keeps me happy and motivated.”
Once they’re well out of earshot of Jenk and his thugs. “I saw nothing particularly valuable or threatening in Jenk’s office.”
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If nobody else has any questions...
Linnea gives a brief nod. "One last thing, where are these temples at? I don't wanna go wandrin' all over this bloody town any more than I 'ave to. Then, I'd say we're done 'ere." She turns to the party, "C'mon, let's get these errands over with."
She leads the part out of the office. When they are out earshot from the Barracuda Cartage, she asks the party, "Where to first?"
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While inside, Ernest doesn't speak up again. Once outside, Ernest shrugs and mumbles out an uncaring noise to the direction question. He continues looks to Linnea and begins to speak. "I think I finished the rough draft of my characters' backstory while Jenk was telling us stuff. See, if we're supposed to be undercover, I'm pretty sure it's a bad idea for me to use my own name. , Snouts can," he says, hefting his semi-disguised pig. "See, I figure HE can be Ernie; I'll just be his attendant, Dumb Johnny. See, Ernie can be some magician from Kaer Maga, who before he the target of a Baleful Polymorph-gone-astray, he was a bronze agent. At least up until the fateful day in Kaer Maga, where a fight between Brother's deflected a Polymorph spell and hit a bystander, and now he's looking to work his way up to earn him some revenge..." Ernest directs his tangent towards Linnea, keeping his focus away from those who would normally prevent his wonderfully horrible fiction from being told.
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Varg simply shakes his head at Ernest's in depth characterization of a backstory.
It does not matter where. Were you two just not at Calistria's pleasure den? We could always try Caydian's first. I could use a drink. The important thing is to quickly gather the items so that we can be asked to take them to the safehouse. After all, that is the mission.
Jenk smiles at the questions. You'll get paid by the Consortium's Magnimar office when this is all finished and I send my expense requisition. As for the temples, well the House of the Silken Veil is a couple streets east on Zincher's Arena. If you can't find it, just ask, everyone knows where it is. The Fish Bowl is on the south side of the Velashu. If you follow the river east from here, you can't miss it. The Publican House is across the river. If you walk out these doors and look north across the river, you can see it. There are ferries all along the river that can get you across.
The party leaves the Barracuda Cartage and heads toward the river. Able to find one of the numerous public ferries, the group crosses the river and makes their way toward the building pointed out by Jenk.
The Publican House is a sprawling building of rough-hewn wood and weathered shingles. Large bay windows of leaden glass provide an expansive view of the river. Loud cheers issue from the tavern, as does the sweet smell of spilled ale.
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Luisila speaks to a street vendor along the way, looking for a treat for Ernest’s pig …
“So you’re Ben. Who’s Jerry? Oh … he’s the name of your imaginary friend and doesn’t actually exist. OK ... and the product’s called gelato NOT gerlado – got it!”
“Now, what flavors have you got? Yep, my friend likes the vanilla/strawberry/chocolate combo ... Thank-you very much!”
Once inside the pub, Luisila will keep an eye open for an authority figure/cleric that might be the keeper of the sacred mug, so she can point them out to Thestil.
Can I recall anything about this sacred mug?
I’m thinking we may be able to resolve this without resorting to violence … Poor Cleaver!
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Linnea takes a look around. At Zynep's suggestion she looks down and adjusts her b louse as best as she can. Hmm, not quite as impressive as Luisila's and Zynep's...
She stops the first barmaid that happens to pass close. "I need to speak with the person in charge." She slaps a gold piece in the barmaid's hand, "This is for you, please be quick."
As the party enters the loud, raucous Publican House, it appears there is some sort of competition going on. Few even take notice of the group until Linnea hails a server. The overworked woman nods and hustles off. A short time later, a sweating, rotund man waddles over to the group. Greetings, I'm High Publican Arnando Rolf. Annie over there told me you wanted to see me? If your interested in entering the competition, just go put your names in. He takes a long look at Varg. Seems like you might have a decent chance of winning. he says with a smile.
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Ernest is conveniently chasing after Snouts during the blouse adjustment time. He turns back, none the wiser with all the women accentuating themselves. (Un?)fortunately, he has yet to remove the loaned smoked goggles.
He gives up the chase upon hearing the word "games." Losing his disguised voice, he waddles up to the High Publican. "Games? What kind of games? Arcana: The Traveling? I don't have my decks with me, unfortunately. Is it 'Ardis Terror?' I've gotten pretty good at that even though I've only played it a few times. It's probably 'Halfling', though; everyone I know has that game. Oh, I wish I'd brought my expansion decks, I've got the first twelve. I'm still trying to find the next one 'Numerian Battles,' though I want the special edition..."
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Linnea takes hold of Ernie's elbow and pulls him back to the group. "I'm not sure that's what the gentleman meant..."
"Well, we may be able to find some time for the competition, but really, High Publican, we're looking for a sacred mug of Cayden Cailean. Jenk has sent us to collect it, and he assured us that he has made you aware of the request." Linnea looks at the High Publican expectantly.
"Perhaps the mug is the prize for the competition?" she thinks to herself.
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Luisila adds to Arnando: “Cleaver is pretty good at what he does.”
“He didn’t get on particularly well with the folks at the Cypher Saloon , but they're not really our kind of people. In fact, they probably let those Cyphermage scum in there.”
Hmm … everyone deserves a second chance. I don’t know the specifics of course but could a limerick or humorous drinking song work for our minstrels? If only someone was good at comedic performance …
At Linnea's question, Arnando's face noticeably blanches. Well, um..about that. I did know someone was coming for it, but today one of the acolytes grabbed it and put it on the prize table. Its up there. he points back to a collection of items sitting on the bar. Looking you see the battered metal mug is prominently displayed above the bar alongside a bottle of high-quality brandy and a chalice of lacquered teak The problem is, if I just go take it down, the crowd is likely to go into an uproar. Maybe have a full scale riot on my hands. he says, wrenching his hands and glancing at the boisterous crowd. Is there anyway you could enter the contest and win it? Its not that hard. You just have to balance tankards on a surface, while holding it above your head. The portly Publican looks at Linnea with a hopeful look on his face.
selection is loaded up with three, six, or nine full cups of ale, at the contestant’s choice. The contestant must lift her selected furniture above her head without spilling any ale. If multiple contestants succeed at both checks, ties are broken first by furniture type (a sideboard
beats a table, which beats a stool), then by number of
drinks (more drinks beat fewer drinks), and then by a
drinking contest with the unspilled ale. (You would need to make a STR check and a DEX or Sleight of Hand check per round)