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"What if they aren't here? We will need other leads. Killing him now would be foolhardy. So, anyone who can heal, bring him back to consciousness. I will pin him down."
Arratu doesn't have rope and since no one else in volunteering, he'll simply put Gaedren into the pinned condition to prepare for the interrogation.
Urhal nods at Arratu, "I agree, even if the bastard doesn't give us good answers, at least he'll be awake when we decide to rid the world of him. Better that way too, won't get outta this so easy."
If he's awake, he could talk about what I owe. But...
Tasche glances at the stoic faces of his companions. They will be unswayed.
"Fine. He lives. For now. Although I'm not wasting a healing potion on this scum."
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Crenshaw meditates for a second. "Well, yeah, if you are seeking for something..."
He cocks the trigger and puts the barrel of his revolver under Gaedren's throat, then touches his shoulder with the other hand while praying to Nethys.
"Speak only when asked, or you're dead."
Veronica is panting from the exertion made in the past few minutes, but they had succeeded. It seemed all at once that she saw her hopes sink to the bottom of the harbor only to be dragged back up again and pinned to the jetty.
Three years of searching. Of sleepless nights and countless cases, of contacts and favors and whispers in back alleys and in just one night he was right there.
That woman had changed everything, her companions had followed it through, and now, as this monsterous shadow, this seemingly untouchable ghost, sputtered back into consciousness, she might finally get the answers she had been seeking.
She looked over the group, as surreal as it was. Surely they had been waiting for this as well. She never could have done this without them, odd a group as they were.
Veronica stepped forward to joined the circle gathered around the dripping, bleeding Lamm. Feared by so many and yet there he was, after using a child as a hostage, after running like a coward, after almost drowning, this was the man that controlled the Slums.
She didn't know how many questions the others had, but she only had one.
"Where is she?", she said, leaning down to be closer to his face, "What have you done with my Megan?"
Please let him know. Please let him tell me. If she isn't alive... If he doesn't know... I don't know what else to do if he can't tell me.
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Although your attempts to make sure Gaedren lives are quite skilled, When Urthal pulls him out of the water it is clear as day that the life has left his cold eyes.
The air is filled with a strange calm, but somehow you feel like even if the criminal is dead something isn't quite right..
You hear a break from the dock behind you, and those of you who look can see the children sneaking off, heading into the dark of the streets.
"Damn, too late." Crenshaw stands up. "Well, it was the end he deserved, running for his life like a rat."
Crenshaw then realises some others had more business with Gaedren. "For those of you in search of other things, we should make a thorough searching of the place. Your kiddoes could be here, or any clues that lead to them." Then he starts by searching Gaedren's corpse.
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Well, he may be old, but this is definitely the man who tortured you as a youth. Although if you really were not sure only a spell could make sure of it.
It's seems Gaedren dropped his firearm into the water, otherwise he possesses a keychain, likely to all the doors in the building... Or at least the ones you haven't blown open.
In addition to that, Gaedren is wearing some magical armor, the leather relatively unharmed despite being shot at. Sure it's soaked with blood and water, but at least it's Worth something.
Also worth noting is a potion at his waist. Likely a healing potion Geadren hadn't had time to use.
"Yes, he is Gaedren indeed. We should gather his belongings and try the keys in case we find what you're looking for."
"Makes sense to me. A crime lord who hides behind others? Seems weak."
Tasche examines the body, trying to gauge the items if Crenshaw lets him. He doesn't try to take any of the items however.
"Hm. A nice profit. But no children." He hums, frowns, and turns back to the building. Scratching his head, Tasche stretches. "I suppose we must continue looking, to make sure no one here stands to inherit his empire. And of course, Augusta." He then walks back towards the building, and calls over his shoulder. "Would anyone care to express a particular preference as to where we start?"
After he gets some of the way down the dock, he dramatically spins, coat flaring out. "Stop worrying. We'll hide the body after we search, unless any individual would care to carry it."
Urhal snorts, seeming particularly Orcish for a moment before saying, "Damn, woulda liked to see him squirm a bit, but at least he died fittingly, fleeing like the coward he was. I'll take his armor if nobody cares, might as well make the most of him." He gives the body a slight kick to make sure he is truly dead before scowling upon confirmation that he is.
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"We all agree he didn't get the end he deserves, correct? Well then, this should be satisfying."
After all useful items are removed (Arratu takes the healing potion, Urhal took the leather armor, Tasche took the keys), Arratu grabs a leg and pulls it back to the warehouse floor. With a small farewell of "See you in the Hells", he throws Gaedren into the crocodile pool.
And while the croc is distracted, he goes back to his initial goal of searching the pool. He sees a half eaten gnome and chuckles.
Veronica tries to hide her devastation. For the longest time, she had one mindset. Find Gaedren, find Meagan.
Now, she could only watch as the corpse was stripped and thrown to the crocodile, and all her hopes with it.
What would happen to the children in his employ once word got around he was dead? Would anyone take up the reins or would they just sell and steal as much as they could? They seemed to be killing every lead they came across without a care.
Veronica, for the first time, felt the doubt creep in that she would ever see her daughter alive again...
"Let's retrace our steps, give each room a proper look through, especially the one Lamm was hiding in. Then we simply backtrack, go through the two other doors at the entrance, that other one in that larger area.
Take whatever we can. Question whoever we can. Leave nothing for his lackeys to use, not even a shred. What's done is done. I can only hope you are right when you say others will know where the children are."
Tasche watches curiously as Arratu throws the corpse to the reptile, making sure to keep well out of reach. He needs all of his limbs intact, thank you very much. "I'm no druid, but I didn't think crocodiles were native to these parts. Any idea where he got it from? Or what he uses it for?" He frowns in concentration, and then chuckles. "I would hazard a guess at body disposal, same as we're doing."
"You're quite right Ms Veronica. Mayhaps once it is clear, we should even consider burning down this horrible place. But first, no stone shall remain unturned!" He begins trying to assist Arratu on his search, starting with the dock and then moving indoors.
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Arratu speaks to Tasche as they search the area. "You asked earlier where my magic comes from. Well, it is not something I speak of often. In fact, I don't really speak to much of anyone at all. I am a skinwalker. That means I was born with this. I can alter my features and abilities at will to match that of my ancestral wereswine. Hooves, tusks, scent... It is who I am."
Glancing around to ensure the rest of the party is absent enough to ensure a requisite level of discretion, Tasche replies. "Hm. I have heard of skinwalkers before. Never had the chance to meet one. At least, that I know of." He chuckles. "I'm sorry for prying. Studying strange forms of magic is my career. It's impressive. I do wonder how else it can be harnessed." He trails off, and frowns in concentration. "Hm. Maybe if you... no, that wouldn't quite... hm. Well, perhaps if... no. Hm." Shaking his head, Tasche realizes he's fallen behind and hurries to keep up. "Sorry. I just find magic so fascinating."
"Heh. Good question. Study, although there have been those who have accused me of being naturally talented. I was formally trained at Anomanexus. Those Acadamae bastards felt I wasn't, ah, 'noble' enough. Wouldn't take me." He shakes his head, to clear the memories. "So yes, I study. I have a workshop actually. I'm trying to unify an ancient style of magic used by a group known as 'The Magi' with modern firearms. It's an interesting project for sure. Keeps me busy. But I still enjoy studying other forms of 'the magicks' when I get the chance." Unconsciously, he traces his hand down the barrel of the revolver that represents years of his research.
"Strange. My daughter was allowed to sit the entrance exam for the Acadamae and we are far from noble. She had a gift for magic, stronger than mine.
She disappeared while out shopping for school supplies. We were both so excited. How quickly things change."
Veronica said wistfully, temporarily lost in the memories of a happier past. One full of hope and potential.
She moved back to the entry foyer, looking around the rooms she passed through briefly, before waiting for the others and deciding where to go next.
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Arratu pauses in his search, feeling sympathy for the pain of Veronica.
"This life is often not fair. My own path has also been full of pain. I wish I had words of comfort, but I do not. What I can offer you are my tusks, my hooves, and a very big body to hide behind. This world is not fair to the good-hearted, but we can make sure the evil are punished as well."
Urhal chuckles, ”Pff, magic. I find a swift blow to the face just as effective as any fancy spells.I agree with the big fella’. Life definitely ain’t fair but a bit of punishin’ never hurt. Well, at least those that didn’t deserve it.”
Tasche starts at Veronica's comment. Oops. Caught. He quickly recovers "Well, uh, I'm a bit too unorthodox for them. As I said, people have accused me of being a blood mage, and you know the Acadame's opinion on them. Still. She must be brilliant." He smiles gently at Veronica. "I'll help you find her. I promise. She's probably in the same mysterious place Augusta is, anyway"
Tasche laughs at Urhal's rejection "What about fancy spells that make you strike stronger and faster? Surely with some magical support, you could get much further with standing up for the good and punishing the wicked."
"Capable? Try terrifying. Perhaps excessively so." Imagining the monster such a combination would create, Tasche grins and starts flipping through his spellbook. "I don't have Enlarge Person in here. Not my speciality. However, just for you, I'll see if I can't pick it up from a friend, especially if we're gonna keep working together." He grins at Arratu.
Crenshaw pays full attention to the conversation. "Hey guys. You better check what you're using all these fancy charms for, will you? A big power equals a big responsibility, and... after we've met, I don't want to be chasing for you, uh?" He uses two of his fingers of one hand to point at his eyes, the universal sign of "I am watching you". "Nethys is watching, remember."
Looking elsewhere, he adds "Now, we should be caring for those children of yours that were kidnapped. Let's have a look, shall we?"
"He doesn't. He cares, though, if the gift he's given to the sentient races is used properly. He is the God of Magic and, as his servant, I am to care about how do you use his gifts, if any." He stops for a second and looks around. "And I've noticed many of you have such gifts." Then he starts walking again. "Fow now, though, I have to say you have nothing to fear."
"Nethys, the god of magic, cares about how we use magic? That is strange. I had always assumed he would support magic in all it's forms. I suppose that's why I'm not particularly religious " He sighs and cocks his head sideways. "Well, what would be an improper usage?"
"Of course he does. But not how you think, not about evil or good or whatever, but in relation to acting according to your power." Crenshaw still has the gun in his hand and, when he realises, puts it back to its holster. "We mortals, however, as imperfect as we are, follow the Gods' advice in a dual way, because we have no choice. I was bound to a life of crime, due to this Gaedren, and so I would have followed one of the faces a God like Nethys has. Destiny, luck or Nethys' will, however you call it, wanted me to be turned to Good though, and so now I follow the opposite face."
He realises he is being a bit too philosophical. "Basically, Nethys doesn't like that you use magic to go to the loo. Use it for important things instead. And I care that you use it for good, not for evil."
Urhal grunts and says, "Well, I hate to break up your little philosophy party but we'd best keep moving. Gaedren might be dead but his plans are probably still goin' on."