Braxton swings and misses once more.
Jules stabs with her rapier and puts down a rat.
Chandler then swings his blade and cuts down the remaining rat!
After studying the contraption for a moment, Chandler figures out how to operate the crane.
With a little belated guidance, Jules is able to cross the creaking, splintering beam and tie a rope around the crate. Chandler is then able to operate the crane to bring the crate to a bit of solid planking. Opening the crate, the party finds a smaller mahogany box inside, which contains five books and a few loose sheets of paper in a leather folder. The titles and subjects seem completely unrelated to each other: Practical Thaumaturgy In Accordance with Creation, Geographic Anomalies of the Inner Sea, Under Kaer Maga: A Trial and Travel, Physiology of Dragons: An Illustrated Reference, and Lost Sarusan. The leather folder contains cargo manifestos, warehouse inventories, and other financial logs from a dozen different merchant houses and trade guilds.
The crate also contains 10 sets of masterwork thieves’ tools, three flasks of alchemist’s fire, a flask of acid, a dozen jars of various inks, a footprint book, adamantine weapon blanch, three bags of powder, a deck of marked cards, and two sets of average loaded dice.
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Chandler laughs a bit at that suggestion. "The Society would never ask us to do anything illegal..."; hilarious, he thinks.
"Technically, the Society only asked us to help someone important living in the city with no details about how we might go about that... and I hardly think breaking and entering or theft, which is what we were asked by this important person to do, are—strictly speaking—legal, but whatever helps you sleep at night."
Chandler will take a look through the other items in the warehouse. He may or may not take anything, but he considers Braxton's argument weak and the reality of bureaucratic state seizure wasteful.
Searching through the warehouse, the finds mostly mundane items and rotten perishables.
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Turk makes sure that Jules takes a couple sets of the MW thieves tools for her use before helping to collect anything valuable.
Hey the guy we are grabbing these docs works for the Pathfinders and he specifically said we could help ourselves. The smile and wink suggests that Turk knows that this might not hold up under strong scrutiny.
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Jules quickly picks up the masterwork thieves tools
"These will work wonderfully, thanks. It looks like we have three flasks of alchemist’s fire, a flask of acid,adamantine weapon blanch and a footprint book. Does anyone know what this powder is? Is it magical?"
Jules will pick up the remaining items.
"I think we can sell the rest of this stuff so you can get some better gear."
Now who wants the flasks, who get the weapon blanch and who can use the footprint book?
The party grabs whatever items they find necessary and head back to see Guaril. He smiles as you enter his shop and he spies the box. "Ahh, I see you were successful. Good! I will tell Valsin he chose wisely. I thank you and if you ever need a favor...come see Uncle Guaril!"
After leaving the Pickled Imp, the party heads across the city to the Ascendant Court. Arriving at the Temple of the Shining Star, the party ascends the granite steps into the temple. Almost immediately, you are flagged down by an acolyte who points you toward a tall woman conversing with someone else. As the acolyte clears his throat, the woman turns. Ollysta Zadrian, paladin of Sarenrae is young in her years, but holds herself with the poise of a queen and warrior simultaneously. As she notices the group's arrival, she strides forward, addressing the you in a strong voice.
“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." She pauses, taking in the group with a smile.
“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." She shakes her and grins. "I apologize for straying off point. Will you bring this parcel of medicine to Auntie Baltwin’s Home for Recovery in the Eastgate district?”
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Torsk, follows all to the Ascendant Court, marveling in all Absolom has to offer. He just hopes to not run into any more bloodthirsty rats wanting to chew on him.
He looks towards Ms. Zadrian, and with a clam tone, We will be happy to help. I understand how some may wish to make a quick gold, but we wish to earn our gold and rewards
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Of course we will help you to both deliver the parcel and to discern if it is deserved. Turk limps forward and awkwardly picks up the package, seeming to strain in doing so. Forgive me Lady Zadrian, I suffered a small wound from some vermin that needed to be put down earlier today but I think I shall be fine. The bite does not look infected...
Ollysta smiles and waves a cleric over and has the person heal any of the party's wounds. "Be vigilant!" She says as she turns to leave.
Leaving the temple, the heads east toward the Eastgate District. Soon the temple and shrines are replaced with average to well-kept townhomes. Crossing a street, you find yourselves at the corner of an intersection, the orphanage just a few houses down.
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Growing up I was sorta different. Turk begins. Thinking for a moment, he skips ahead in his story. Tried a few different things but the Pathfinders are where I fit best. I could tell you more, and maybe a I will some day over an ale or glass of wine. Would like to hear your story too. he says in a hopeful tone, perhaps mistaking Jules interest.
Later in their walk he asks the group.
Anyway, how do we tell if this orphanage is deserving like the paladin lady has bid us to do?
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I don't know. Lets talk to the head of the orphanage first. Maybe we can get some clues from her. Perhaps the kids could give us some insight as well. Can't hurt to ask or inquire, just so long as we don't upset her. After overhearing the mention of ale or wine, Torsk pipes up, Perhaps after this mission, we can all discuss what brought us here over a drink and a hot meal
With that Torsk, will walk up to the front door, and knock on it.
Hello, is anyone here? We have a package to deliver.
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Jules attempts to stop Torsk from knocking on the door.
"Before we anounce we are here could I suggest looking around first? We may see some of the children out playing, or a neighbor we can talk to. I think we may get more information from them than from the people who run the orphange.
Jules says as she begins to carefully look around.
As the party spreads out and canvases the neighborhood, they learn a few things about the head of the orphanage, Auntie Baltwin.
After an hour or so of chatting up the nearest neighbors, the party learns a few things....
Miltivis, who runs a nearby market, claims he’s served Auntie Baltwin for over 30 years, and while a good customer, she is quite demanding and often rude to the other customers. He says she’s kept his supplier of fine whiskeys in business for decades.
Gilga Baltwin’s neighbors Travost and Tirelle Anthos are frankly tired of the noises the children make and the retinue of cats—though they do appreciate the latter’s mousing skills. They admit to being happy when Auntie Baltwin sends the children “off into the town” during the day, as it gives them a few hours of peace and quiet before they return in the evening.
At the estate across the street, Master Trebb Bonto, a retired builder, says nothing but nice things of Lady Baltwin, as he calls her. He recounts tales of tea and games on the sitting porch, though if pressed, he lets slip that she often cheats at games and sometimes had some shady characters coming to whisper in her ear and palm her small bags of what might have been money before slinking away. “Otherwise a fine lady, indeed.” he quickly adds.
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Jules thinks for a while
"So she sends the kids off into town and then someone comes by with a bag of coins. I wonder what these 'sick' kids are doing in town. Don't you?"
Jules begins to wonder weather Auntie Baltwin is good for the children.
"I think we need to learn more. I would love to know what the kids are doing during the day"