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Crondor swings himself into the coach after Horven and tries to strike up a conversation with him. "So, what is it about walking that you find so appealing? I myself rather enjoy a nice walk now and then, but carrying packages all over Absalom on foot while wearing armor doesn't sound particularly enjoyable, if you ask me."
As the coaches wend their way through the streets, you hear the sounds and smell the aromas of the city. You notice the change in architecture as you leave the Foriegn Quarter and enter the Ascendent Court. Eventually the coaches stop in front of the Temple of the Shining Star, dedicated to Saranae. The party exits the coaches, pay the drivers and make their way up the stairs entering the temple. Upon entering, a women clad in armor notices you and with regal poise makes her way over to you. As she gets close, you recognize her as Ollysta Zadrian, she smiles and addresses the group. “Thank the light of Sarenrae you have arrived! I knew Ambrus would come through for us in the Silver Crusade. I desperately need you to bring medicine to an orphanage and let me know if the headmistress, Gilga Baltwin, is deserving of our charity. Since our quest began, the needy have clamored for our aid, and I suspect some are abusing our generosity. It may sound cruel, but there are plenty of dishonest people out in the world eager for easy gold. “Do you know of the Silver Crusade? After discovering so
many factions splintered the Society, a number of us banded together to proliferate the cause of charity and kindness using the Society’s resources. As it is said, ‘The Dawn brings new
light’ and I’ve made it my life’s work to use our recent darkness to bring a new light to the world and to the Pathfinder Society. I apologize for straying off point. Will you bring this parcel
of medicine to Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery in the Eastgate district?”
Ollysta grimaces at the implications. I only have suspicions, that is why I hope that while you deliver the package, you can discern whether the orphanage is being run to our morale standards. I would rather you not confront her if it can be avoided, there are children present after all. If you could investigate and bring back any evidence for or against, it would be most appreciated. May Saranae's light guide you.
Ygdunur
Gwion
Horvon
Runar
Crondor
Your carriages rumble over the cobblestone streets, moving through the temples and shrines of the Ascendant Court. Soon enough, you notice the change to townhomes and stately manors as you come into the Eastgate District. The coaches make their way east, passing Evergreen Park, and eventually come to halt in one of the more modest neighborhoods. Due to foot traffic the coaches let you off at an intersection, leaving you to walk the rest of the way, only about five or six homes, to Auntie Baltwin’s orphanage. The streets are clean, people are out tending to their homes and children play as your approach the orphanage.
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Rúnar grumbles quietly to those in his coach, "Did you see that? I think we're being watched." He stares one last time. "She's gone now. Female, light hair, green dress, in case you see the same as we go about our work."
Once they are deposited near the orphanage, he takes the lead up the steps and knocks on the front door.
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"Indeed I did see her. Looked to me like she had eyes for 'ol Horvon here!" Gwion winks and attempts to give Horvon a playful elbow to the ribs but, due to the height difference between the two, it winds up being a shot to the knee. "Aye...but it wouldn't hurt to keep our eyes open for anything suspicious. We are Pathfinders now after all."
As the group approaches the door and knocks you notice the place is nearly swarming with cats and children, this fine upper-class home appears to be clean and in good condition considering the number and ages of its inhabitants. Three young boys shoot marbles in the dirt near the side porch, and through a front window you see inside, strewn toys and more cats lie about on the floors. A few children take care of chores, while coughs and sneezes softly erupt from the children’s dormitories upstairs.
Eventually a old hag of a lady, who could only be Auntie Baltwin opens the door. She stares at Crondor for a moment, and then says. Yes. what do you want, ehh.
Baltwin looks at Crondor and Gabriel for a long hard second, then looks at the group behind him, her eyes widening, she says, Inside? What do you want to go inside for, you'll have that whole mangy group behind you come in and get their dirty feet and hands all over my nice, clean house? She puts her hands on her hips. How bout' you give me the medicines and be on your way. I have children that need this medicine. She reaches out for the box of medicine.
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Gwion steps forward so that he may be seen amidst the tall and sturdy in the group. He tries to peer around Auntie to see if he can spot anything amiss inside.
"Auntie Baltwin as I live and breathe! We have no doubt heard about the good work that you've done with these children and would like to learn more about what you do here. After all, a good report from us could mean more regular aid from the Silver Crusade. Anything to help the little ones, right?"
Baltwin motions toward Runar, Gabriel and Ygdnur. I would prefer not to expose the children to...your kind. She turns to Gwion. Your right, I do help the little ones, that's why they send me medicine. Now why don't you run home to your mama, I bet she's worried sick or are you an orphan?
She sticks her chin out at Crondor. Why do want in so bad? She glances at Horvon. Trying to steal from an old lady doing good in the community?
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Crondor draws himself up to his full height. "Why do I want in? I was told to report back what I noticed, and I'm afraid at the moment that that report is going to be very short - 'Gilga Baltwin was uncooperative, unhelpful, and impolite'." His features soften. "Now we wouldn't want that, would we now? All I'm asking is that you show two of us around for a few minutes."
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Es drīzāk palikt likts jebkuru veidus. Kaut kas nav labi ar sievieti mēs redzējām. Ja ir problēma ne tikai, ka sieviete ir stūrgalvīgs es nevaru atrast to. Ļaujiet citiem uzzināt, ko viņi var.
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Rúnar replies to Ygdnur, motioning toward the boys playing with marbles as he speaks. Saskaņotais - mana pacietība ir arī valkā plānas. Cerēsim viņiem vai iegūt durvis slammed viņu sejās, bet ātri. Katrā ziņā, mēs gribētu būt iespējai vismaz runāt ar šiem bērniem."
Auntie Baltwin puffs up her chest and glares at Crondor. You don’t scare me you big bully. Baltwin then steps back and takes a deep breath. If you want to look around, fine, but just a couple of you. I don’t want you getting the place dirty. The reason I wasn’t letting you in is because I got a couple kids in there that are awful sick. I don’t want ya to catch something.
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Rúnar eyes the woman skeptically, but does not say anything in front of her. When she has left, he says to the others who are also left on the doorstep, "She's hiding something, but who knows what or why."
He approaches the children playing marbles, pauses for a moment as he tries to think of a way to begin, and ultimately opens with, "Who's winning?"
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In the mean time, Gabriel will find a tavern close to the orphanage, grab a drink, and start talking to the locals about "that orphanage"... If they've noticed anything less than fishy, or about Auntie herself. He'll attempt to speak to a mix of humans, and non-humans, to see if their opinions differ.
Diplomacy
While Crondor and Gwion are inside with Auntie Baltwin, The dwarves and Horvon talk to the two children playing marbles on the side of the porch. The boys are shy at first, but loosen up and star giggling at Horvon's antics. The two boys, after much urging from the group, reveal the Auntie Baltwin sends the older children out to work as maids and servants in homes around the city. She tells the children that they are earning their keep. But you can deduce from what they say they bring in wage wise that Baltwin in pocketing the extra cash. They say she can be mean, but they love her cooking and she tells them bedtime stories. As they finish speaking, Baltwin comes out on the porch and shoos the children away, telling them not to talk to the party.
Meanwhile...
Crondor and Gwion are shown into the house, Auntie Baltwin scolding them not to touch anything. At Gwion's comment about tea, Baltwin glares and says Your too young for tea, do your parents let you drink tea? Tis' a pity if they do. She grabs his ear and looks behind it. As I thought, dirt, they make you bathe much either do they? I should report them. Baltwin watches the two like a hawk as they examine the household, which is generally well-kept. Suddenly she notices the party outside talking to a couple of boys and begins heading toward the door, while saying over her shoulder. Don't you touch anything While she is on the porch, Crondor and Gwion continue to nose around. In short order, Gwion's sharp halfling eyes find three separate stashes of healing curatives from three separate charities. Just as Gwion finds the last stash. Auntie Baltwin returns looking very suspicious, though she hasn't caught you searching. What are you bullies up to? she says.