Mordecai takes a hard look at the man trying to decide I this is a trap.
If Mordecai feels the man is representing himself truly, then Mordecai takes the necklace puts it on and follows him.
Sensing no deception Mordecai takes the necklace and follows the cloaked man. He takes him trough several back streets and a few secret passages until you finally arrive at the coffee house.
Once inside the man takes you to a private room briefly passing by the dining room.
"I am Rexus. You could say I am a ringleader of the rebellion. My family was once part of the silver ravens and I aim to revive that order. You were looking for me correct? This is good as I was also looking for you."
This moment had come faster than Mordecai had expected. He had suspected it would take days to find the resistance. Never had it occurred to him that the resistance might be looking for him. He really had not planned out what to say. He faltered for a moment trying to figure out what he wanted to say...
I saw you in the square after the announcement. So it is true. It was your actions that put all those innocent civilians at risk...
Mordecai took a moment to look the man in the eyes trying to take his measure. Was this some one who had even a chance of taking on Thrune? Did this man feel any remorse for those who had fallen in the square. Mordecai knew he had to take a chance here, because Thrune surely did not care about those families that had lost sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers.
Look I have no love for Thrune and want only one thing more than to preserve the free spirit of Kintarro. That one thing is to keep the people that live, work, and raise their families here safe. "If" I agree to help you... Will you promise that you will do your best to preserve the safety of the innocent civilians of this city? The kind of blood bath that took place in the streets the other day can't be allowed to happen again.
Tobias takes his breakfast with the others...sort of. He is mostly just an unnoticed shadow in the corner of the room. This so called rebellion had drawn a very odd crowd. One of them thought it an adventure from a storybook and another seemed more concerned about the food than. Tobias paused on him. He looked familiar. It had been a few years but he was pretty sure he'd seen that face in a fighting ring in Westcrown. Tobias slinks from his shadowy corner and approaches the table. He spins a chair to sit in it backward and looks at Bjorn. "You fought in the Devildrome in Westcrown right?"
"Well first we gotta get some really dedicated people who really believe in our cause. We travel the public places and rouse interest. Then we hold secret meetings to weed out any spies. Once we have an organization in place, we can really hit the bastards."
The man clearly feels great regret over the death in the square.
"I agree what happened in the square was a disaster I acted rashly in anger and didn't think things trough enough and walked into a trap. Had you folks not intervene things would have been much worst...Come with me meet the others and I have a few things that I think can bring you around."
He goes to the dining room assuming Mordecai agrees.
"Good morning Everyone. I assume you all have questions and I will do my best answer them all but first there is a matter I want to bring to your attention. Directly below us is a large underground facility that could be an effective base for our fledging resistance. It was original built by the Silver Ravens and when they disbanded it was given to the Bellflower Network who used it for years until they finally abandoned it. It has secret passages that lead to several buildings in town and even an underground port for a ship to dock. I tried to reclaim it for our use but it seems the base has become home to a nest of Tengu. I tried communicating with them but they proved very uncooperative so far."
Underground passages? Now that was some juicy information. Perfect for getting in and out unseen. But there was a catch and he knew what it was. "And?" he asked.
Freya strokes her chin. "A looked-down-on species hiding underground from their oppressors..." Freya snaps her fingers. "Perfect! We just need show them that the Thrunies are the real bad guys and they'll join us. What a perfect way to start our noble cause!"
"I was hoping you could convince them to leave or at least strike a somekind of bargain for me. They are most likely thieves or smugglers that found one of the other passage down into the facility. The facility itself could be crucial to our operation but even more important are documents in a safe down there that should list other potential bases and supplies caches left by the silver ravens."
The owner of the coffee house comes along "We don't know anything about them other than they are Tengu but I'm fairly certain they have been stealing food from my pantry for the past week or two." she says
Tobias rolls his eyes at the halfling's comment. She was disgustingly naive. He also cringed at "Thrunies". They were not cute and did not need to sound cute. But he said nothing about it. "How do we get down there?"
"One entrance is in the cellar, I can show you how to open it" says the Owner
Mordecai had walked in behind Rexus as the man had entered. He stands back quietly listening to the conversation trying to size the four up.
I guess I'll be accompanying you. I am Mordecai of the house Goldman. I want to be upfront here that my primary concern is keeping the civilians of Kintargo safe. Any plans that needlessly endanger the families of this city I will oppose with everything I have... There's more I would like to discuss when we have time... but I felt that was important to say at the onset of our relationship. Now shall we go see about these Tengu and figure out if they are allies or just some lawless rogues praying on the innocent of the city?
Zindra sat quietly eating her breakfast and listening to everyone. She perked up when Rexus mentioned the Silver Ravens.
I wonder if grandmother was a member of that group. I know I have heard her mention the name before...
With a small smile, she nods at Mordecai. I am Zindra Malru. I also would like to keep more from being harmed. Doing away with the Thrune family, well at least this new Lord-Mayor, would be a very good start.
She pushes her plate back and stands up to leave. I, also, will need a moment to prepare before we head down. I will not be long.
"My spells are prepped and I'm raring to go! Onward to adventure!" Freya says spinning with excitement.
Tobias was ready the moment he stepped out of his room. It always payed to be prepared.
As people finish their breakfasts and gather their supplies, Mordecai asks a question of his new companions.
I Know why I am here, I feel that as a Noble of Cheliax it is my duty to serve as a shield for the people of Kintargo, suffering indignities in their place and trying to protect them where I can. So why did you all choose to support the Silver Ravens... are you paid mercenaries, here for glory or, what?
"Yeah?" Tobias asks. "You sound like a pretty upstanding citizen. So upstanding that you spent a single night in jail after openly attacking the Dottari." In fact, as noble as he seemed, that was a very short time. Released the next day. Not dead. Kind of suspicious.
I was questioned by that Dottari captain, the woman who healed as if by magic or Devilry. She discovered that I knew nothing... I have to admit I still don't know much... But I was left a parting gift.
Mordecai removes his glove showing where his hand seems to have been branded on the palm and fingers, almost like he had grabbed a coal out of a fire and hung onto it.
The priests of Shelyn were kind enough to heal the actual burn... but apparently the mark is something more sinister, I can tell that it drains my strength. When I have some extra funds I'll pay the temple to see if they can break what ever curse this is.
"It can also serve as a tracer, they can monitor your movements and even see and hear your surroundings whenever they want while you bear that mark. Unless your wearing a pendant like the one I gave you that is. I will cover the cost of getting it removed If you are willing to dedicate yourself to the cause." says Rexus
If the cause is protecting the people of Kintargo I think you know my answer to that. It is a kind offer you make. Thank you Rexus.
Freya flinches at the mark as Mordecai shows it. "This is what those Devil-sucking bastards do to people even when they surrender. This is why we fight."
This was getting more and more dangerous the more either Goldman or Rexus talked. The new guy was a walking liability. A mark that allied the enemy to know your every move and word? Did the pendant even work. The fact that Dottari weren't rushing in at that moment was probably proof enough. But still. "Does it still work if he's dead?"
Rexus nods "I will arrange for a priest to remove the mark tonight. For now the pendant grants you protection from prying eyes...I am unsure Tobias but I believe if he is dead the mark would no longer function."
Tobias turns to Mordecai. "If the pendant comes off expect a knife in the back," he says in a very serious tone. He didn't need Thrune to know he was coming.
Mordecai looks Tobias square in the eyes...
Destroy and kill that which you do not understand and fear. The mentality of a true coward. I suppose you like to hide in the shadows and never look your enemy in the eye until you have planted your "knife in the back".
If you are so afraid as to let your fear of Thrune dictate your actions then "you" have already lost. It was that kind of weakness of character that lead to the death of so many outside the opera house.
Those people in the courtyard were used as a screen... and diversion. They were sacrificed! For what? For a failed attempt at murder that only served to make Thrune aware that there was opposition to him.
If we were to storm the Opera House and Kill The Mayor Now... how do you think Queen Abrogail would respond? The death of a Thrune in his own home. She could not let that stand. She would bring the entire might of the Chelaxian army down upon Kintargo. If she actually likes The Mayor she might just choose to turn the city into a smoldering crater as a warning to other would be dissidents.
No... we must not let our fears Dictate our actions. We must rise above the weakness of living only for "self preservation at any cost". What does it matter if we save our bodies only to lose our souls.
Or Tobias... are you just a cold hearted killer with nothing else inside of you?
Mordecai turns his back to Tobias, making himself completely vulnerable, walks up to the breakfast table and picks up a piece of unclaimed toast and starts to slowly eat.
Coward. Afraid of Thrune. And to even compare his expert abilities to that of the amateurish actions out in the square yesterday. Those words had Tobias itching to draw a weapon slash out the pompous, idiot's tongue. But that was against his personal code. He didn't kill or wound outside of a job or self defense. This man wasn't worth the stress. He goes over and stands behind Mordecai just long enough to make the man wonder if he was actually going to stab him in the back. "You got me in a box friend." He then pats the large man on the back, right in the spot one would need to pierce to hit the heart from behind. "I'll see you later when you aren't a walking liability."
Mordecai turns around with his head hanging a bit.
I hate to admit it but he makes a valid point. It might be best if I stay out of any possible conflict till the mark is gone. I could never forgive myself if something did happen to the necklace and you were all endangered because of it.
Freya marches between them and stamps her foot. "If you two boys are done measuring dicks, we have a rebellion to start. We don't need you two at each others' throats and, Mordecai, we need all the help we can get. If Rexus says the necklace works then it works. If it doesn't they already know about this base and there's nothing we can do about it now. Now get a move on; your dicks are both small anyway."
Mordecai is taken aback by the small halfing and stammers for a moment...
... But the neck... Um... my di... Not....um.... Uh.... Yes ma'am
With a defeated look Mordecai falls into line with the others. He stops and looks at Tobias.
You... Um... You coming?
The Innkeeper takes you down to the cellar and you help he remove some boxes stacked against the wall. When the way is clear she opens a secret passage hidden in the wall revealing a long stairway going down.
Zindra slowly follows the group, still in awe over the way Freya handled the situation with the two men.
Mordecai draws his shield and a torch placing himself near the front of the group.
Tobias was taken aback at the halfling's vulgarity. Early she was saying how this seemed like an adventure. Pretty sure books like that didn't involve dick measuring. At least not the ones he had seen. So he says nothing. He learned a long time ago never to respond to those kind of allegations.
Tobias follows and decides that if Mordecai and Bjorn want vanguard so bad they can have it. Suited him just fine in case things got violent.
The long, damp stairways opens into the north end of a room with a large reservoir of calm, dark water. A wooden pier extends twenty feet into the water, while another twenty feet out rises the top half of a statue of a beautiful elven woman. A foul smell, like that of rotting meat, comes from somewhere near the pier. Two holes have been knocked into the west walls to provide access to chambers beyond and a staircase leads further down to the south.
The room is dark and silent for the moment.
Looks like there might be something more than Tengu down here... whatever it is we need to clear it out.
Freya looks up at the statue of the Elven woman. "I wonder who that is? I didn't think Cheliaxans liked Elves all that much."
Zindra steps up next to Freya, eyeing the statue also. "I am not sure who she is but she was beautiful."
Did grandmother ever mention anything about a famous elf? she tries to remember.
"Now that i think about it, I believe she is a depiction of Calistria the elven goddess of lust and revenge. I wonder why there is a statue of her down here?
Zindra looks around, trying to see if she notices anything around the room.