"Oh, you haven't heard my spiel?" the lithe man said to the Inquisitor "We start taking out those benefitting from the new regime. Kill the loyalists. Put fear on our side of the table, as well as theirs. At the moment pure logic suggests it is better to work with THRUNE, as there is no personal downside. Only those morally opposed join us. After the first few dozen corpses, that'll change. People with families will start avoiding looking too loyal."
"Oh, you haven't heard my spiel?" the lithe man said to the Inquisitor "We start taking out those benefitting from the new regime. Kill the loyalists. Put fear on our side of the table, as well as theirs. At the moment pure logic suggests it is better to work with THRUNE, as there is no personal downside. Only those morally opposed join us. After the first few dozen corpses, that'll change. People with families will start avoiding looking too loyal."
Noravia seriously considered what Caleb put forth. "If we do consider moving forward with that plan then we need specific targets and information needs to be gathered on them. However, I can also see people having problems with outright assassinations by us. The other option, with the same outcome, is to publicly embarrass supporters of Thrune and the Asmodean church. Once they are shown as weak or incompetent, Thrune or the church will assassinate them for us. Take Marquel's father for example, I don't foresee him making out very well after news of his son's escape is made public."
tag Caleb and others
Turn 153 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Noravia looked at the headband that Eirik was holding. "That's very generous of you. Are you sure that you want to give it to me instead of keeping it for yourself?" The inquisitor returned Eirik's smile, "As for patching you up, I am more than willing to provide you with healing if you keep taking the blows in my place. I must admit that I was secretly glad that the Thrune dog decided to use you as a chew toy rather than me."
”I can well imagine,” Eirik chuckled, massaging the recently healed muscles. ”I wouldn’t mind trading places, had I your skills at channeling magic, but we all do what we can, and my talents seem to lie in other directions.” No use lamenting out loud that his real skills were best applied in a house of law, not leading a bloody revolution or fighting battles beyond practice courts. But if he could at least shield his new friends with his body… he’d have to be content with that.
”No, the trinket is useful for me, the heightened intuition is helpful in the heat of battle to read an enemy’s movements, but I believe you will get more out of it. Take it, with our blessings, and make its original owner proud.”
Caleb looked on, astonished, as 'his' noble paid a favour to another noble in order to free three slips - and even more astonished at the captain's behaviour.
"I can help you look around." he offered, adding a few words of friendship in the Halfling patois favoured by slip slaves in Cheliax.
"Another one?" groaned Caleb to himself 'We have to get a more secure meeting spot.'
More loudly he commented "Welcome Hetamon."
”No, the trinket is useful for me, the heightened intuition is helpful in the heat of battle to read an enemy’s movements, but I believe you will get more out of it. Take it, with our blessings, and make its original owner proud.”
Noravia swallowed hard against the rush of emotions that churned up. "I will do my best to make Rowan proud. She was a better person than I could ever hope to be so it's a lot to live up to." The inquisitor turned over the headband in her hands before putting it on. "Many thanks for trusting me with this. How do I look?"
tag Eirik
Action 3:
Noravia was thrilled to have finally met the leader of the Rose of Kintargo. When he offered to join them she smiled. "I guess I'm partial to anyone who worships Milani. Your connections will prove to be quite advantageous. I think it would be short-sighted to turn away help in the rebellion. What made you decide to go from anonymous helper to direct ally?"
tag Hetamon
Action 4:
The news of the murder was quite unexpecteded considering everything else that was happening in Kintargo. "If this is the latest victim, how many have there been up until now?"
tag Hetamon
"I know it's an odd request but would it be possible to get a look at the body?"
tag
The news of the murder was quite unexpected considering everything else that was happening in Kintargo. "If this is the latest victim, how many have there been up until now?"
Eirik leaned forward when the possible return of the Temple Hill Slasher was mentioned. The topic was, as if were, of considerable professional interest. The professor’s three-year reign of terror had ended with his execution in 4599AR, but could it be that some deranged person had now been inspired by his work? Or was some killer merely trying to hide his true agenda by mimicking the infamous murdered?
By all means, let’s try to get to the bottom of this,” he agreed aloud. ”Do you know if the city guards have taken much of an interest in the case as of yet?”
"Not sure how much help I'm going to be on this one." Caleb added appologetically, as he absentmindedly rubbed the back of his neck with one hand "Not sure how much help I'm going to be as an investigator." he brightened "But if we can get there fast enough I might be able to smell something. No promises that'll help, but it can't hurt, right?"
"I do know enough to know that most killers" he continues, carefully not looking at anyone "don't kill at random. Might be worth investigating the victim as well."
Action 1
Tillia was startled at Vandomir's immediate use of one of the favors, the results of it even more so. While she was a little angry that he used one so frivolously and without consultation, she realized it was a very good test of the captain's sincerity. All of that cooled her anger into simple aggravation that she would discuss with him at a later time. If she was honest with herself she'd have to admit she was glad to see that his impulsivity led to the freedom of three people from slavery, or in this case more of an indentured servitude than true slavery.
Having successfully returned to base, and having gotten some sleep after a very long night, Tillia tracked Vandomir down for a private conversation. When she finally caught up with him she sat and said, "We need to talk about the use of the favor from the captain Vandomir." She took a deep breath before continuing, "I like the use of it, I would even have condoned it had you ask as a superb test and use of one favor, but you should have checked with us before doing so. Those favors are precious and we all need to have input into their proper use. Please realize that I'm not mad about any of this, I'm just annoyed you didn't consult with us first." Her voice was even and matter of fact, not emotional as she spoke, more like she was laying down a series of facts, "Let's try to avoid that sort of thing in the future unless absolutely necessary alright?"
Action 2
Action 3
The appearance of Hetamon caught Tillia's immediate attention. Some might find her very strange for finding tiefling attractive, maybe it was the fact she was effectively raised by one from a young age that did it. This wasn't to say she didn't find humans, or elves, or anyone else attractive, it just led to her seeing the person beneath, or the beauty that their dark heritage could bring. This wasn't to say Hetamon was handsome to most, but she sure thought so. She blushed when she introduced herself and almost stuttered out the words, "I'm T-tillia. Meet to nice you." She seemed to realize her words came out jumbled because she blushed even more, this time in utter embarrassment. this was also the first time she displayed any emotion but sadness or anger since Rowan was killed.
Action 4
The mage listened to Hetamon's request and looked at the others as she said, "I don't know how much we can actually accomplish but I think we should certainly try. I'll flip through my spellbook and see what I have that might be of use. There might be a few spells I can go purchase and add to it for this sort of job."
The inquisitor turned over the headband in her hands before putting it on. "Many thanks for trusting me with this. How do I look?"
"It looks better on you than on me, though that might have something to do with the wearer herself," Eirik murmured, making a great show of roaming his eyes up and down the inquisitor's body since she had invited comment. "May it serve you well."
"And as the times have driven us to the deep ends of caution, you were brave to trust us as well, coming to us like you did, not knowing whether we would welcome a stranger with open hands or naked blades," the monk went on, sighing heavily. "I don't know if I would been able to do it, had our positions been reversed."
The inquisitor turned over the headband in her hands before putting it on. "Many thanks for trusting me with this. How do I look?""It looks better on you than on me, though that might have something to do with the wearer herself," Eirik murmured, making a great show of roaming his eyes up and down the inquisitor's body since she had invited comment. "May it serve you well."
"And as the times have driven us to the deep ends of caution, you were brave to trust us as well, coming to us like you did, not knowing whether we would welcome a stranger with open hands or naked blades," the monk went on, sighing heavily. "I don't know if I would been able to do it, had our positions been reversed."
Noravia cocked an eyebrow at Eirik's response to her question. When she responded their was a hint of humor in her voice, "Would you like me to twirl? It would afford you a better view."
When Eirik became serious with his next comment, Noravia did as well. "I knew that there were risks but I trusted in what Rowan had told me about you lot. It wasn't so much bravery but rather faith in both my friend - that she had been a good judge of character - and Milani, that I was going where I was needed. Honestly, I expected more resistance when I arrived and I was pleasantly surprised when weapons weren't drawn."
At the monk's last heavy comment, Noravia playfully punched him in the shoulder and grinned. "Of course not because you're not me!" Then she schooled her face to a more serious demeanor before adding, "We always do what we must. You don't give yourself enough credit. There are definitely a lot of Kintargo citizens who have chosen to do nothing while you've involved yourself in the fight against oppression."
Turn 154 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
"Let's try to avoid that sort of thing in the future unless absolutely necessary alright?"
Vandomir listened calmy. When Tillia finished he responded, "so, the summary of what you just told me is that you are not upset at what I did. You would possibly have done the same. I need your permission to be impulsive, unless I really think it is the right thing to do. Did I miss anything? Tillia, this has been a good talk, and I appreciate your willingness to open up to me."
Action 2
+2 vs humans, +1 to locate traps, +2 in Kintargo
Action 3
Vandomir smiled, "Tillia, you can ask the questions, I would not care to be 'impulsive' on this." Vandomir made "finger quotes" as he said the word impulsive.
"However, once we have determined all we can here, we should go to the scene of the latest murder with all haste. I may be able to track the murderer."
Action 2:
Noravia examined the body to obtain information that may tell them what had happened. She could tell that the stab wounds were made by a light bladed weapon. "It looks like Myrletta was attacked with something similar to a kukri. The wounds look like the blade was slightly curved and about a foot long. That doesn't seem like a commonly used weapon, does it?"
tag everyone
The sheer number of stab wounds troubled the inquisitor. "Either the person who did this was full of rage or took pleasure in the pain they afflicted. The motivation behind this attack is truly disturbing."
Action 3:
Since they only had two questions to ask and six people in the room, Noravia thought some discussion was warranted. "Maybe we should discuss what questions to ask before you read the scroll. My thought would be to ask Myrletta if she knew who killed her. Another question could be what the murderer said, if anything, to her during the act. Of course those are just my initial thoughts. What about you all?"
tag everyone
Vandomir smiled, "Tillia, you can ask the questions, I would not care to be 'impulsive' on this." Vandomir made "finger quotes" as he said the word impulsive.
Noravia thought that Vandomir's comment was odd and sensed some tension between him and the mage. "I think everyone's input on this would be beneficial since everyone thinks differently."
Yes, since Myrletta was a friend of Hetamon, you can expect more than just a one word answer.
Game on!
Noravia thought that Vandomir's comment was odd and sensed some tension between him and the mage. "I think everyone's input on this would be beneficial since everyone thinks differently."
"I am not familiar with the spell in detail, but assuming the spirit feels inclined to answer questions without the veils and riddles one hears about in stories, perhaps we should ask her to describe her killer the best she can, and tell us everything she heard during her last few moments in life?" Eirik suggested, murmuring a prayer for the poor deceased woman. "I don't suppose the spell would allow us just to ask her to tell everything she could to help us find out who killed her and why?"
Ok, I got my two questions. I'll give Caleb and Tillia some more time to post and move this along.
Game on!
Action 1
Tillia rolled her eyes at Vandomir's sarcasm and said, "No, you don't need my permission. I'm just saying you should have consulted with the rest of us before you used it, or at least those present when the need comes up, that's all."
Action 2
While Tillia wasn't trained in the arts of healing she had treated a wound or two on both herself and her master while growing up. She examined the body with the others and tried to determine the cause of death. Unfortunately injuries of this sort weren't her forte and she simply couldn't make heads nor tails of what had happened.
Action 3
Tillia heard Vandomir's words and couldn't believe he'd tease her about, what was in her mind, a serious issue. She glared at him and held her middle two fingers down with her thumb and then held it up at Vandomir.
As Eirik made his suggestions on question Tillia considered them and said, "Those seem like good ones to ask. I think we can use them alright.
"You got that right!" Caleb adds cheerfully, when Hetamon disparages the city authorities. "Huh - I think I can see my house from here."
"Sooooo... necromancy isn't really something I've looked into, but I suppose if we're going to question a dead person, those are probably good questions to ask." Caleb said uncomfortably.
Turn 155 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
+2 vs humans, +2 in Kintargo
1) leather armor that incorporates numerous pockets in an apron is likely the garb of an artisan
2) the unusual stink of rancid cheese and urine is likely from slurk grease, which is often used in the construction and maintenance of clockworks
3) Vespam Artisans is Kintargo’s largest manufacturer of clockworks—further, this workshop is located square in the section of Old Kintargo where the murders have occurred.
Only one check left to be made (if desired): DC 20 Diplomacy check to gather information about people known to wear metal-and-leather leg braces in Kintargo. However, this check takes about 4 hours to make.
It is now late evening.
Action 1
Vandomir's skin crawled through the entire experience, and when it finished he felt unclean. "I am not ashamed to admit that I found that experience most unnerving. With that said, it was also illuminating. The numerous pockets in the leather armor seems indicative of a tradesman of some sort. The spell described is likely that of slurk grease. My family has an impressive clock in the main house, and when the workmen do their maintenance on it, the smell of slurk grease is unmistakeable!"
Vandomir closes his eyes briefly, bringing up a mental image of the city for his consideration. "The city has several clock works, but the largest happens to actually be located right in the middle of Old Kintargo, where these murders have occurred. With the description we have of the killer, I would be hard pressed to believe that there are many that would qualify. And if the killer doesn't work at Vespam Artisans, then I dare say they would be familiar with him. We should go and handle this before another killing happens."
Action 1:
Noravia listened intently to Myrletta tell them about her last moments in Kintargo. Most of what she said didn't seem familiar to the inquisitor but contained enough detail that it shouldn't be too hard to track down her killer.
My family has an impressive clock in the main house, and when the workmen do their maintenance on it, the smell of slurk grease is unmistakeable!"
Noravia wrinkled her nose. "That's what slurk grease smells like? Rancid cheese and urine? How disgusting."
"The city has several clock works, but the largest happens to actually be located right in the middle of Old Kintargo, where these murders have occurred. With the description we have of the killer, I would be hard pressed to believe that there are many that would qualify. And if the killer doesn't work at Vespam Artisans, then I dare say they would be familiar with him. We should go and handle this before another killing happens."
"It would seem like following up this information sooner rather than later would be beneficial." Noravia asked another question of Hetamon. "Do you know how often this murderer has been killing? I'm just wondering how much time we may have before someone else is targeted."
tag Hetamon
"It is getting quite late. Will there be anyone at Vespam Artisans at this hour to question?"
tag everyone
"That... that was just wrong" Caleb shuddered.
"Look, I reckon Vandomir's right. If you give me a few hours, I'll ask around, see if I can get confirmation. Presumably we have until tonight." Caleb offered "And I think we have to remember that this might not be one guy. Could be a whole Cabal of them. Could be some evil wizard sacrificing people to something. Could be the reanimated form of the Temple Hill Slasher."
"Look, I reckon Vandomir's right. If you give me a few hours, I'll ask around, see if I can get confirmation. Presumably we have until tonight." Caleb offered "And I think we have to remember that this might not be one guy. Could be a whole Cabal of them. Could be some evil wizard sacrificing people to something. Could be the reanimated form of the Temple Hill Slasher."
"I can come with and help you out if you'd like. With two people asking around, we may be able to find out the information faster."
tag Caleb
"It is getting quite late. Will there be anyone at Vespam Artisans at this hour to question?"
”And how shall we approach this? Openly as Silver Ravens seeking to right a wrong? Or as vigilantes out to exact street justice? I expect the people at the shop require some reason to open their doors,” Eirik said. ”During daytime, we, or rather you,” Eirik nodded at the noble, ”could get in as a customer, and ask questions or perhaps even slip to the back of the shop to snoop around, but I doubt this is within their usual business hours, even if some artisans are still there, catching up to their work.”
Ok, so you are going to Vespam Artisans but two questions remain:
a) how you will approach this (as Raven or just curious); and
b) time of inquiry, which I will assume is the next morning but let me know otherwise.
Questions?
Game on!
"It is getting quite late. Will there be anyone at Vespam Artisans at this hour to question?"”And how shall we approach this? Openly as Silver Ravens seeking to right a wrong? Or as vigilantes out to exact street justice? I expect the people at the shop require some reason to open their doors,” Eirik said. ”During daytime, we, or rather you,” Eirik nodded at the noble, ”could get in as a customer, and ask questions or perhaps even slip to the back of the shop to snoop around, but I doubt this is within their usual business hours, even if some artisans are still there, catching up to their work.”
The inquisitor gave her opinion, "Until we know who we may meet at Vespam Artisans, it may be best to go in as curious patrons rather than as Silver Ravens. We can maybe try to gather a little more information tonight and go visit them tomorrow morning. Your suggestion of Vandomir going in as a customer is a good one."
Action 1
Tillia considered what had been said and posited her suggestion, "I think that Noravia's suggestion is the best one. the only change I could think of is do we have the time for Vandomir to go there now? If not then I'd suggest waiting until morning, if so then let's try to get him in there while the rest of us try to learn more about the place."
"Well... How about I hang about near the shop, up on the rooftops. If I see this guy coming out I'll send a Raven and start tailing him. Maybe give me a team, so we can watch all the exits." Caleb considers some more "And we go in late tomorrow - I want to make sure I get my beauty sleep."
"So that is two different approaches," Vandomir observes. "Which one shall it be?"
"I see no harm in lurking around the shop during the night, though there's no guarantee the killer won't be home already," Eirik said. "I can take half of the watch - I require very little in the way of sleep, and can hide myself almost as well as you. And if we don't see a man matching the description leave the shop tonight, we can go in as customers tomorrow as suggested."
"Yeah, that's what I meant. I mean, how often are these bodies being found? Pretty much every second night, yeah. So we keep an eye out for him leaving just in case, but our primary plan is to infiltrate." Caleb nodded in emphatic agreement with Eirik.
"Don't want to take this guy on alone though. Could be a copycat, but my money's on Black Magic. I'll give 2:1 odds if anyone wants in."
Turn 156 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!