"Very observant! She knows where she is, though why she thinks we don't know that is beyond us. If she weren't right here, how would we hear her say where she is?"
Carawyn continues blithely along with the others.
"Who are you even talking to?!"
As he pats down the militiaman's body, Aldren tries to keep a laugh from escaping but doesn't entirely succeed. Berenice gives voice to something that has been nagging at the back of his mind since first encountering the gnome in the alley. He keeps most his attention on the body in front of him (and ensuring it is a corpse) but, if she happens to look his way, he gives Berenice a wink and sympathetic smile.
Laurent is momentarily distracted by the gnome woman's discussion with an unseen companion, but his attention is drawn to Aldren who is picking over the CCG member's body like a vulture.
He frowns a little and says, "Sir, perhaps we should let the dead man lie. He likely has little of value and we really should be on our way to this bookshop."
The noble appears to agree with the sentiment, by making a face. However he does not appear to say anything. don't look a gift horse in the mouth mindset.
"Come milady's. and gentlmen." as he leads away from the scene.
The smile Aldren had towards Berenice slips into the barest of smirks at Laurent's rebuke though he keeps his back to the nobles. "Not all of us remain in the good graces of the families to which we were born, m'lord. Besides," he holds the amulet aloft, the curiosity plain on his face as his voice slowly fades... "You never know what you'll find on an adversary."
He pointedly slips a commoner's affect onto "m'lord", rolling it into a single word, making it clear what his own thoughts are on the privilege of class. Yet the matter quickly rolls off his back as he considers the pendant and how he might make use of it. With a shrug, he then slips it into a pocket and also takes the coin purse, manacles and mace, but leaves the armor on the corpse.
"Good news, Bee! The House of Thrune is giving us a credit for our charitable donation earlier. Got my money back, yours too if you like, and anyone else who happens to need it." He dusts off his hands with a self-satisfied grin and twinkle in his eyes, following the two nobles and the others.
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Carawyn cocks her head for a moment at Berenice's question as if she were listening to something.
"No, of course not," she replies. "They can't see you -- well they can, though they don't know what they're looking at. They don't know you're there. Or here. But they seem friendly, mostly. Yes, of course I will go with them; I wouldn't want to be beaten like that man who didn't go when they wanted him to."
"Right, okay, got a loony in the gang. Great."
Given that they are standing on the edge of a riot, Laurent decides to overlook the shapeshifter's lack of manners and simply nods curtly at him. Certainly the current group, which also seems to include a hallucinating gnome, is an odd one, but more than one interesting adventure novel has started that way.
When Rexus heads off toward the bookstore, Laurent follows, staying close to Bepe to make sure his valet has his support if the wounds the halfling sustained begin acting up.
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Septimus follows with the group while keeping an eye out for further trouble as well as taking point to defend the less armored people of the group. He is at the ready to defend himself in case of more Citizen Group or Dotari spreading their crackdown through the city. When he arrives at the bookstore, he gives a quick look around before heading inside with the group, covering the rear as they go in.
Berenice idly whistles as she walks arm in arm with Bepe and the weird gnome to the bookstore. She hoped it would relieve some of the awkwardness.
Rexus leads the group down several twists and turns eventually coming to stop at a small two story complex. The walls and paneling are plain at Crissali's Fine tomes. Great wooden doors with glass paneling greet customers at the front even though the rest of the place appears to have no windows. Over the door, is the sign two books with both a capital C and S. Rexus politely opens the door for the others to follow. Once inside you see that there are several hundred books going from floor to ceiling along with several chairs for people to read at. a middle aged slightly overweight woman moves around a counter to greet you. A picture of the Queen stands in the center over the counter.
"Greetings Rex, Even though its lovely to see you again; I don't wish any trouble." the woman says as she looks at the rest of the group.
"Hello Criss, could we use your private study room for a few minutes?" Rexus says as he holds out a few gold pieces.
"Sure, of course" as the lady takes away the gold.
Rexus leads you to a back room down a hallway. opening the door you see a couple of couches and chairs for lounging. drinking water is also provided along with a small bottle that you don't know the contents on a side table. Continual light spells on small metal rods light up the room. Rexus sits on one of these with a sigh.
Aldren follows the others into the shop, keeping a small distance between him and the full-blooded nobles without making a scene of it. During the walk from the alley, he'd been dwelling on the prior interactions and was slowly nursing a small annoyance into a proper grudge. Who was it who went in and got rid of the four before taking on the last? Who did most of the work saving this Rexus fellow? And who gets the thanks? Who gets the sideeye for the smart move? First a riot and now this. If this is my contact, I must have deeply offended you, my Lady.
Yet, he keeps a light air about him and smiles as they walk past Crissali. "Evening, ma'am." Hmm. She's familiar. Have I seen her at the Silken Veils? He can't recall, so he just favors her with a playful wink and adds, "Mean no trouble t'all. We'll be quiet as church mice."
Once into the room, he looks around and instead of sitting finds himself intrigued by the small bottle. Liquor? That'd be a nice touch. He steps over to the bottle, opens it and takes a whiff of its contents.
Berenice hops up on one of the chairs and pours herself some water. After gulping it down she looks at the motley band assembled in the room (herself included).
"Well, glad we're finally out of that fiasco. I suppose we should get to know one another, since not all of us had the pleasure of chatting before things got violent. My name's Berenice Bluethistle. I'm...an activist...of sorts...for the halfling community."
Lirana also pours herself a glass of water and settles into a chair.
"Nice to meet you Berenice. My name is Lirana Caldori and most of my time is split between serving as a priestess of Shelyn and helping my mother out in her costume shop." And I really hope that giving my name out to these people isn't a bad idea."
Laurent follows Rexus into the back room, smiling and nodding politely at the bookseller as he passes her.
Seeing the priestess pout herself some water, he decides that Lirana has the right of it and follows suit in pouring first some water for Bepe, and then some for himself. Laurent would certainly like a drink but he suspects they are not out of danger quite yet; best to keep their heads about them.
"Laurent Jhaltero, a pleasure to meet you all," he says, letting his family name speak for itself. "This is my valet Bepe Puddinfoot. I want to thank you all for helping us out of that unpleasant scrape."
The others begin their introductions while Aldren inspects the bottle's contents but he listens to the beginning of the exchange. Indeed... an 'activist'. Oh, my dear Bee... He covers his chortle with a sharp inhalation of the phial's contents and, after the temptation to laugh has passed, he nods slightly if a tad coldly to Laurent's more formal introduction and that of his manservant. He says his last name as if it is something we should know... another failure of my education. Thank you for that, dear father.
"Aldren... of a house that won't claim me and a faith quite forbidden. So just... Aldren, or Aldy." The introduction is offered in a tone soft yet hinting at shadows.
Though he quickly casts aside whatever spectres there may be with a warm expression favoring Lirana, "I assume we have you to thank for the healing in the alley. It's a blessing the Lady in the Room hasn't seen fit to share with me, and I thank you for the kindness." He dips his head in something resembling a bow.
Beppe tips his glass of water to the others after the introduction.
Rexus holds out a glass to Aldren to fill, "Thank you, for the timly rescue, I am forever in your debt. All of you seem to know how to handle yourselves. Where I am a stranger to these types of things. I would like to know more about each of you, I may in fact, have a proposition for you all as well."
With the sweet scent of the bottle's contents, the last of the shadows hovering over Aldren's mood dissipate. "Oh my, this is too fine to leave sitting here alone and unloved. I..." He blinks and pauses at Rexus's words, briefly perplexed by the combination of the expectant and entitled gesture yet the seemingly sincere words that touched at his own thoughts from just a few moments ago. Hmm...
He tries to conceal the uncertainty and, yes, suspicion beneath a gracious demeanor. The half-elf pours some of the red into the proffered glass and nods. Now or never...
"If I might, My Lord, I was told by, perhaps, a mutual acquaintance to meet a human at the protest who wore a single glove." He tips his own glass towards the noble's single glove. "Which is to say, I certainly hope we can be of mutual assistance."
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With the Introductions occurring Septimus Falkland says to the others "I am Septimus Falkland, former solider of the City Watch. Years ago I joined the watch in hope of bringing order to this city and crack down on the crime and corruption I had seen rapid across Kintargo in my youth. I had attempted to be a fair enforcer of the law, upholding the tenants of Abadar as a guide rather than the brutality of the Diabloism that many of Chelixian heritage uphold to. For years I turned a blind eye to the obvious corruption of the city guard, the brutality, the protection rackets, the tolerance of crime so long as kickbacks were being paid. It was bad enough in this city but the coming Lord-Mayor Barzillai Thrune, this has thrown the city far deeper into a pit of corruption. After the Night of Ashes, I had enough of acting as a lapdog for the existing establishment, hence my early retirement from service. I knew full well that there would be a riot and a crackdown today and had hoped to save lives by attending. It appears my efforts though have only made a little difference to how things played out it appears."
"We are known -- or not, apparently -- as Carawyn," the gnome says simply. "Carawyn Ellyzig Finwinkle."
It is nice to meet you all. Though obviously one would wish such acquaintances would be made under more pleasant circumstances." Lirana nods affirmative at Aldren's question. "Yes, I am blessed with the ability to ease the pain of others."
Lirana looks at Rexus warily. "What is the nature of this proposition?"
"I'm afraid I cant get into it right now, I am waiting for my partner before I speak. Please be patient." Rexus pours himself another glass while just listening to the others. "As you may have heard I am currently a wanted man. So I need to take certain precaution's." He rubs his head as if he has a headache.
With the Introductions occurring Septimus Falkland says to the others "I am Septimus Falkland, former solider of the City Watch. Years ago I joined the watch in hope of bringing order to this city and crack down on the crime and corruption I had seen rapid across Kintargo in my youth. I had attempted to be a fair enforcer of the law, upholding the tenants of Abadar as a guide rather than the brutality of the Diabloism that many of Chelixian heritage uphold to. For years I turned a blind eye to the obvious corruption of the city guard, the brutality, the protection rackets, the tolerance of crime so long as kickbacks were being paid. It was bad enough in this city but the coming Lord-Mayor Barzillai Thrune, this has thrown the city far deeper into a pit of corruption. After the Night of Ashes, I had enough of acting as a lapdog for the existing establishment, hence my early retirement from service. I knew full well that there would be a riot and a crackdown today and had hoped to save lives by attending. It appears my efforts though have only made a little difference to how things played out it appears."
Berenice snorts.
"Don't sell yourself short, big guy. You made a difference to a few of us sittin' here. Lemme ask you somethin', though...you've no love for the Thrunies, but how d'ya feel about some of the "older" laws on the books? Like the ones related to the status of people bein' property? I know Kintargo's better than most places in Cheliax regarding that, but Abadarans can be kind of...blockheads...about it? Some bull$#%@ about it being a cog in society's great machine or somethin'."
Aldren barely suppresses a roll of his eyes as he turns his head, glancing at Berenice with a wry look as he takes a sip of the wine. Oh my, and she thinks I'm privileged... Here is true privilege, that would have us dance to his beat, but at least he has good wine.
After savoring the wine for a moment: "Indeed, Master Falkland, had it not been for your sword arm earlier, I think that Thrune lickspittle would have gotten the better of me. As I tend to favor my head attached to my neck, my head... and the rest of me... is in your debt." He sits at the table, leaning back as he rests his feet on the table's crossbeams.
He lets Berenice's questioning run its own course, dipping out of that conversation and turning his own attention towards the gnome. "And she says her name is Carawyn. As to it being known, it seems known to her, at least. And now it's known to the others. We are thankful for that." He looks at the gnome, his head cocked to the side. "The man with an elf's ears wonders what she thinks of all this; what brought her to the protest."
Carawyn looks at Aldren, her cheeks rising in what is likely a smile beneath her veil.
"Oh, we wonder what happened to the elf, who now has no ears?"
After a moment to let that question have its fair time for thought or answers, she continues: "Perhaps he is with our friend and employer, who has gone missing and did not turn out to be at the park, not even a clue where he might be. We hear he may have been taken by the devils, dragged off to Hell or someplace that is likely to be just as worse."
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Septimus Falkland nods to Aldren and Berenice, "Your thanks are appreciated and I am glad to be of assistance to aiding you all in what way I could."
To Berenice's question he says, "I do not approve of slavery but I do believe in the rule of law and its importance in society. I just do not believe in the Chelixan system of law, a system where those in power take what they want without regard of who it harms and the use unjust laws to legitimize their claims. Abadar's laws are the most just in the cosmos and while not perfect it is the best model to use to build an ordered society."
Berenice sniffs a bit, and nods.
"I can work with that."
When Carawyn talks about Aldren's heritage, her eyes widen.
"Hey hey, you don't just blurt $#%& out like that! Aldy's kind of sensitive about his parentage," she says with a frown.
Carawyn glances at Berenice, brows knitted in confusion.
"Think about how HE feels!" Berenice insists.
Laurent is enjoying his cool glass of water during this whole conversation, deciding that perhaps it would be best to be silent for a moment. Certainly asking someone you have just met his opinion on slavery is the height of bad manners.
The second outburst from Berenice directed at Carawyn, cant help but cause Laurent to give Bepe a look that says something along the line of "What have we gotten ourselves into today..."
Clearing his throat to break the awkward silence after Berenice's rebuke, Laurent says, "Perhaps we should go right to the source. Lord Aldren, have you taken offense at Ms. Finwinkle's colorful turns of phrase?"
Aldren is at first surprised by Carawyn's response, his eyes going wide a bit with shock, but only because he'd underestimated how literally she takes statements. But after he has a moment to process it...
He laughs, a sincere, deep throated explosion with a broad grin. I think I'm going to like her...
"Thank you, Bee, but I only take offense when it's intended or, well..." his smile cracks and he looks at Laurent.
"We're getting off on the wrong foot, so let me try to set the dance to a new tune." He finishes off the last of his wine, sighs in appreciation, then lays it all out. "I'm no Lord, never will be, neither by the laws of this city nor the will of my father. Bee had the right of it. I've never known my mother, though what she was should be obvious enough. Whether she was a whore or a victim of my father's sexual appetites, I don't know nor care. She left me at the manor's doorstop when I was a babe, and in all the years since I've been given one clear, simple instruction from my father the Lord. Keep quiet and out of the way.
"I know enough about how others think to know some would say I have a bit of a chip on my shoulder. I'd say it's earned suspicion and contempt for a class of people that are all too comfortable playing with the lives of others. By the grace of her Savored Sting, I'm quite done groveling and being thankful for what my betters care to throw at me. And if my... 'manners' don't suit their tastes..." He shrugs. "It's a contempt I'm most familiar with. And Miss Carawyn's unvarnished honesty is a welcome antidote."
Berenice breathes a sigh of relief at Aldren's assurance that he wasn't upset.
"Alright. Perhaps I spoke too quickly. I've been called reckless before."
"How he feels?" Carawyn repeats, seemingly ignoring the other ensuing statements as she looks at the half-elf. "Likely with his skin, unless he has stolen some other senses from some other creature that feels differently..."
She cocks her head.
"Are we to dance on just one foot? With no music playing?"
She gives an experimental hop and then shakes her head.
Not knowing how long they would be in the room, Lirana moves over to one of the couches and takes a seat, deciding that she will at least be comfortable during their stay here.
"Is there anything that you can tell us before your partner arrives?"
Aldren glances back at Carawyn, thinking back to the item of greater importance in what she said. While he has no particular skill in medicine nor experience with the addled, Aldren knows a little about magic and mysticism. A lot of people missing, nothing unique there, but the fact that she was employed suggests she's not quite as befuddled as she appears. The nature of her employment might give a clue as to what she's about...
He thinks for a moment, then says, "Miss Carawyn said her friend was missing. We are wondering what her friend's name is, and what Miss Carawyn did as his employee?"
Berenice opens her mouth to protest Aldren's imitation of Carawyn's use of the majestic plural, but remembering her foot had already been placed in her mouth once today, she shuts it and just raises an eyebrow to Aldren.
Rexus holds up a hand quickly for quiet; as in the background you hear boots crunching on tiles. You look at the bottom of the curtain drawn , and see that the booted feet have stopped outside the curtain. A low pitched voice calls out. "Rexus !, give yourself up, and have those with you drop any weapons on the ground or else." you then see the boots start to tap impatiently.......... Tap,Tap,Tap,Tap...
"Friglo Uccas is quite a talented tailor, who thinks we have enough talent with thread to help him," she says.
Aldren looks more puzzled than alarmed as he considers the voice and owner of the boots. Were it the Thrice-Damned Thrunes, they'd have barged straight in. This doesn't make sense. All the same, he slowly lowers his feet to the floor and puts a hand on his holy symbol.
Rexus appears just as alarmed as everyone else. He takes out a piece of cloth and wipes his forehead, and finishes his drink.
Beppe says to laurant quietly. " This person is either really powerful, very important or really stupid." and looks toward his dagger questionably not quite dropping it.
Berenice jumps up and restrings her bow.
"Give the word, Rexus, an' I'll pincushion the bastards," she says in low voice.
Lirana quickly looks around the room and speaks quietly: "I don't suppose that there is a back way out of this room, is there?"
Aldren watches Rexus and judges the noble to be in a state of fear-induced paralysis. Of course, useless, and we are to be the rescue again... Mistress, if this man's foolishness leads to my arrest, grant me the opportunity to strike him down first. There is a hint of disgust in the curl of his lip, but it disappears quickly as he gestures towards Septimus and the curtain.
Aldren signals to Septimus: You take one side of the door, I'll take the other, we wait until he comes in.
Aldren stands up as quietly as he can and moves to one side of the room's entrance, morningstar at the ready in one hand, holy symbol in the other.
Suddenly the curtain is pulled open and a Thrune Cleric dressed as the watch is standing there. Patiently looking at your group as he walks in the room. "See here knaves, put down your weapons, you are surrounded, by Order of her majesty"
Rexuses Jaw drops and he looks resigned. "So this is the end then."
Everyone give a will save DC 16
Instead of swinging the morningstar, Aldren cocks his head slightly to the side as if bemused by something. He then signals this is an illusion.
"We are not the knaves you are looking for. Let us just move along, out of your way."
Casting Charm Person upon the person standing there.
Berenice angrily nocks an arrow and takes a shot.
"No Thrunie's gonna take me alive! You'll never shackle me again! NEVER!"