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"So the gauntlet locks here on the lance. It lets me get more leverage on the attack when I charge, rather than use half my arm strength just to keep the weapon in my hand." Pooka lifts the lance to show Nugats what he is talking about. The gnome is only about a dozen questions in, but Pooka is surprisingly eager to answer the endless questions about the finer points of mounted combat on a dog, as well as training such an animal for this unique task.
His attention is so engrossed in the conversation, he hardly notices Hania completely directing where they move, as Luna eagerly follows the paladin's hand, tail wagging vigorously.
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Scratch my left ear, scratch my left ear, scratch my left ear...
Luna's tongue hangs out of her mouth as the trio walks along. She looks sideways at the towering armored woman, all mental focus bent on a single thought.
Scratch my left ear, scratch my left ear, scratch my left ear, scratch my lef... IT WORKED!!! SHE SCRATCHED MY RIGHT EAR!!
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Daru will spend much of the voyage at Nugats side, transcribing spells from his spellbook. Once they arrive, she thanks the crew of the boat before addressing her fellow Pathfinders.
"If indeed we are going to divide our forces, I would be honored to speak with Eylara on our behalf, with Roland & Favian by my side. Where shall we rendezvous?"
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Roland will follow along with Daru and Favian.
At zhis hour, we may not find anyone willing to talk to us. Aye, a good idea.
Will half an hour be enough time to get in and out of zhe trouble before regrouping?
He will cast perceive cues upon himself once the party is ready to split, if that is the decision.
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Running his hands over Pooka saddle, inspecting the various buckles, straps, hinges, and pouches, Nugats stops for a moment to listen to the conversation about who is going where. "Shall we gives ourselves an hour to accomplish our task, then meet back up here? "
One they are ready to start, Nugats casts Message over the group. "The range on this is not what I want, but it'll have to do. Best of luck not getting too drunk." Nugats waves a goodbye before waiting for Pooka, Luna, and Hania.
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You know from Colson's letter and walking up and down you can find an establishment call Duck Dock. It is not only still open at this late hour also moderately populated, but most patrons are in small groups save one sitting alone at one end of the bar.
She seems uneasy and is watching the crowd your group in particular.
She has a small pin on her collar shaped like a feather enameled with blue white and gold.
The pin is a subtle insignia of Andoran and the Eagle Knights in particular
Diplomacy checks
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As they walk around the town, Pooka goes out of his way to lead Luna towards people, both individuals and groups. Even with the barding, the large, silver-haired dog does wonders at breaking the ice. Any excuse to pet a good doggo. Talk a little about dogs, and before you know it, people are more than willing to help spill any info they know.
"Yes, Labrador actually. I know, she is huge for a lab, right? Oh the silver is actually a type of chocolate lab, more of a mutation of the gene that determines the coat color. Lot's of controversy about that, whether or not it's a true color. Me? I couldn't care less if someone thinks Silver is really an official color or not. Luna's a good dog, and that's all that matters."
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As Pooka extols the virtue of the labrador breed, and Hania makes inroads with almost everyone she meets on the mostly deserted streets of the town, Nugats tries his best to not do everything he wants to do. As one woman bent to pet the stalwart Luna, Nugats did not ask her where she got the ivory comb in her hair carved to resemble a butterfly. When Hania inquired about a child's health, Nugats did not ask if the child had brainworms and could he have the brain once the child died.
Exhausted Nugats slumped next to a drunkard curled in the mire with a half empty bottle of wine gripped tight in his hands. "Well met stranger. I have had the worst night. Everything has been so hard for me. Don't say that, say this, don't let anyone know what you are here for, don't rummage through other people's things. I'm exhausted." he rubs a colored kerchief over his sweaty brow.
Plucking the bottle from the drunkard's tight grip, the gnome takes a long swallow of the putrid wine. "That is awful. Why would you let me drink this? I though we were friends. We are friends, right?"
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Some basic information that was asked, Shelyn is fine around here. They don't seem to have qualms or quibbles about any types of religion. Wayfinders are the only thing that's an issue, because your well minor...ish invading a sovereign countries prison eventually.
You all have identified you are in the correct location, and you've identified who Eylara is. You can interact with her. -- Between the website issues and possible confusion here I'm not charging this group an extra set of checks to actually interact with her.
As your group is wondering about the town they come across small clumps of people who are out and about during the night.
The first group you run across is a few gentleman at the docks way too deep in their pints and stumbling out of a different tavern than your other group. "Oy, two more months working the docks and I'll be able to hire me a ship somewhere else, perhaps warm and sunny. Here they have some nice places down in the Sarvaga where they don't have gardern's lurking about." His friend attempts to shush him up and not very good at it both of them being a bit loud and drunk at the moment. "Want to keep it down. I don't want to be hauled off to the old debtor's prison being drug through all of the Dustworks by a few Gray Gardners just because you can't keep your mouth shut about this grand plan of yours to defect from Galt." His friend waves him off, "What it's now treason for wanting to see some sunshine and not have to worry about who knows who other than where the rum is?" At noticing your group coming down, they hurry off and get dumped unceremoniously into the crew area of a near by ship.
One the lamplighters going around and keeping the street lamps lit as one or two go out during the night, will stop and give Luna a good scritch behind the ears with the groups encouragement. "Aye, a good puppers aren't ja. Silvers a lucky color isn't it. One of those things like the Pharasmites keep on hand to deal with creepy crawly things. Too bad they couldn't hire you to take a bite out of those old ghosties they want to expel from the old debtor's prison down the way. Big lug like you wouldn't be scared of them."
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"This is all rather interesting. Seems like the Grey Gardeners are the real power source here, planting and plucking those factions that help keep them in their place. I'm not surprised people would want to leave, but for that to be a potential capital offense? That bothers me some."
Pooka glances at Hania, nodding approvingly. "I agree. Let's see what other information we can sift out. The more we know about those dungeons the better. If we can visit the dungeons on official Pharasman business, it will be all the easier to hide our true intents. Also, we might need to make sure we've got some silver blanch..." he chuckles, then looks at the silver-coated heavy flail he carries as a back-up weapon. Dungeons and creepy crawlies and Dragons oh my... I just hope Luna and I can get some maneuvering room down there. Could be tight.
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If there's an empty stool next to Eylara, Daru will sit down and nod to the barkeep, raising her voice a bit. "Some of the house wine, if you would be so kind, my good 'keep." She then turns and nods a greeting at Eylara, then speaking in a quiet voice (not whisper, just quiet conversational tone). "My name's Daru Apsulon, and I've only just arrived in town. An associate of mine--one who likes to Find Paths--suggested I seek out an establishment such as this that possessed a name with an Avian flare. He suggested that I might run into an old friend of his. Honestly, I was hoping to find him here, but I understand he's recently found himself in much less hospitable accommodations. Perhaps we could find a more private location to have a deeper discussion about such places?"
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Nugats paces listlessly back and forth, uncomfortable with the wait. "Pharasmins? They are so boring. They talk and talk, and I cannot help but to stare at all the swirls they have. I start at the beginning, at least what I think is the beginning, and they I go round and round the swirl until I find the end.
"Are you sure you don't want to look at this debtor's prison? Seems much more exciting than some dusty death worshipers."
Nugats take advantage of the momentary pause to inspect Hania's holy symbol. "Shelyn, eh? Recite a poem on the way, would?" he teases.
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Luna leans into the pat from Hania, nearly losing her balance in the process.
These pathfinders are good. Even the tiny one who smells nervous. Or is it anxious? I always get those two smells mixed up. Not afraid though. I definitely know that smell. No fear here.
Woof!
Yes, tell us a poem! Pooka is terrible at poems. I know because my tail sags when he tries.
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Elyara looks at the group of you as you sit down suspiciously at first, and moves her chair back a bit as if to start to get up. She looks even more suspicious as the second party member sits down.
The bar proprietor looks over, "Aye, your not here to give Delly a hard time or anything," he mentions noticing a third one of you. "I'm not so old I won't kick your backside back out on the street."
Elyara waves him off as you keep talking, "It's ok Sam, I know who sent them." She looks around and asks for a round of drinks to be delivered to the table.
After Sam brings them over she looks to all of you in a quite voice. "Being this is Galt, this is about the most resourceful place to be able to talk and not raise suspicion without traveling a good distance."
She takes a sip of her drink before continuing. "I haven't been idle while being here, but I'm also not looking to join the group tomorrow morning either. They are scheduled for the morning. This group that is doing this, they seem even eager...a bit too much for comfort in doing this. I know our kind is not welcome around Galt but they seem fanatical even for Galtans. During the days there are arguments among the people around the prison, not sure what is causing it but it seems to be localized around there. It may be something with who and what they are doing, or something else entirely, I haven't been around and that wasn't my focus with more pressing matters."
"They are being held in a building down in the Duskworks, it used to be a debtor's prison when the Chelish government controlled this place. The exact type of thing the people now being held inside of it Colson excluded want to bring to Andoran." She replies with a bit of a bite to her tone before taking another sip. "Sorry for all that I've seen those places are a tantamount to slavery, I know not all will agree, but this is a bit more of a mess than was intended and I know it needs resolved."
"I can help, but I'm no agent of the sort that can get their hands dirty in this case which has been my issue until you showed up. I'm no breaking and entering type but I can help get them back to where they belong. Under one condition, you do what you can to get Colson Maldris out with them."
- Scope Out the Prison
- Lift the Keys
- Steal a Disguise
- Investigate Known Gray Gardeners
- Contact the Pharasmins
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You speak zhe truth. We are here to rescue zhose being held. We appreciate your assistance in any way you can provide. I will not comment or pass judgement on Colson Maldris, as it is not my place. But he needs to face justice where zhe court is not stacked against him.
Roland is ready to scope out the prison as he waits for the others to state their destinations.
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"I like the idea of entering the prison area on the pretense of eliminating some undead riff raff, don't you Hania? Mostly because actually eliminating some undead riff raff might be necessary anyways to do what we need to do..." Pooka says as he keeps Luna walking at the same pace as the armored paladin.
"Let's see what these Pharasmin's have to say. We don't need to lie about anything, let's just not talk about our alternate motivations..." Pooka cracks a smile.
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Roland worries splitting up too much will be problematic, so he opts to follow Daru for as far as he can before she decides to get sneaky.
I will hang back and just call if you need me.
And besides, if the keys are close to the prison, he may spy something of use. He casts perceive cues (70mins) on himself as they depart.
Once they near the destination...
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Perhaps a little Spellcraft/Knowledge Arcana might yield useful info, if there's some spell or SLA causing the strife, Favian & Nugats...Perhaps you could try Scope Out the Prison?
You don't have enough information from what she's giving you and she's not skilled enough in those types of things to have picked up on it.
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Nugats bids his new companions a fond farewell. " ... and if you get caught, remember to swallow your Wayfinder. Bu-Bye."
Whistling a merry tune to himself, the cadence matching his stunted stride, Nugats cannot help but to smile from ear to ear. Here he was, a member of the most esteemed Pathfinder Society and the vaulted Ambrus Valsin had chosen him of all the available agents for this mission, Ambrus must have seen what Nugats saw in himself, greatness.
Arriving just outside the prisons, Nugats see multiple people milling about. Their faces terse, the gestures curt, the tension palpable; yet the gnome sees none of these social cues. He approaches the nearest bystander. "Why hallo! Nugats the name. What's your name friend? Oh my, look at this vest. Can I try that on? Does it fasten with clasps or buttons?"
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Contact the Phrasamins Hania and Pooka
Once you are all back together and if asked Eylara will give you directions to the relatively small church of Pharasma in Isarn. It's a small but well kept place and the door is open after a brief moment and a younger looking apprentice cleric opens the door and ushers you in.
The cleric goes off and wakes the attendant of the church and brings you all back what looks like coffee and small refreshments. "How can I help you this early morning? I am Brother Derek. Not often we get too many that are not bringing us work, especially fellow clerics."
Scope out the Prison - Nugats and Favian
You both follow the directions and find t he prison. It's a sturdy single-story stone building surrounded by what appear in the wee hours of the morning warehouses and industrial buildings. Near by you can see the cooling forges and vats allowing for work to get done during the day. This does open up though at night the area is filled with people finding the nooks and cranes of the area to camp out in sleep in.
Lift the Keys - Daru and Roland
Elyara will point out the path of the known person that usually will have the keys. A female that you can find by their distinctive cloak and the time that she leaves the prison. You can watch her as she travels to a tavern about midway through town that is still open despite the late hour. It is not hard to tell this place probably stays open as long as their are customers and it appears there is always at least some.
She made her way along and discreetly stowed the cloak and mask into her bag before reaching the tavern and attempting to look like just another person.
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If Roland is game, Daru will slip into the tavern invisible while he slowly enters the tavern. Before they enter, she'll cast invisibility, then activate both her flight hex and prehensile hair and she'll fly at half speed to avoid making noise as she approaches. She'll have her wand of Vanish in her hair. If she manages to steal the keys, she can use her tail to stash them as a swift action, then will retreat at half speed and head out the door.
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Nugats smiles at Favian Aldori. "Your last name, friend. It rings some bells in my head. It sounds familiar in a way. Should I know it?" He continues to smiles and whistle as they reach the prison.
"My what an odd place for a prison. It seems Galtans are a pragmatic nation, or just a bunch of poor planners. I feel like it would be prudent for me to talk to the loiters. Shall you see what our industrious smithy friends know?" Nugats points to the morning warehouses and industrial buildings. Nugats casts Disguise to appear as a human before approaching the prison.
Finding one bundle of rags the nooks and cranes of the area Nugats approaches and shakes it awake. "Bread?" he asks holding out some food from his pack. "What a glorious day for us to meet. Tell me your story friend."
After that, Nugats is going to try to blend into the background as much as he can to observe the comings and goings of the prison.
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Contacting the Phrasmins
"Ah, yes." He mentions putting the cup down. "We have been aware of the issue around the prison. There are some signs and we don't have access to the site as you can understand. This is Galt and to try and tell the government anything could have... well violet results for those who have attempted such in the past." He shakes his head. "We assume that this is due to so many bloody deaths there over the past decade."
He looks over at you both thoughtfully for a moment. "I take you are here asking due to some interest in the area? If you have business around the place that would have some interest in helping put those souls to rest?"
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Scope out the Prison
Both of you are pretty stealthy as you are looking over the place, there are guards coming and going at what appears to be random intervals. There is one entrance on the southern wall of the building.
The bundle of rags eventually moves out of its sleeping position into an almost half sitting position. "Oye!" She sounds excited for a momenet then gets really quiet. "food..." and takes it gingerly.
"Story ya want?" She slowly emerges from the rags into the colder air of the early morning, the almost broken Irish-type accent doesn't carry to far. "Not much of one really, me dad you see got exiled, but we got left behind. Shipped him out to Andorian all neat like, not even a time to say goodbye or such. We make do really, but don't always have the coin for a nice bed or such every night. A bit warm and such here at least. Guards don't mind us really, just hear their footsteps and the great door every thirty or so minutes."
"So wocher up to here in the early morn?"
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Lift the Keys
You have the keys, and 100% they are perfectly normal iron type keys.
You turn on detect magic, and they are still 100% normal keys, you get there's a bit of lingering abjuration effects, but its nothing was cast on them directly. More they picked it up from somewhere being in proximity, but you can't attempt to identify because it's not on the keys themselves.