Rexus nods solemnly at Pádraig's steadfast response, placing a hand delicately on the halfling's shoulder. "Despite my heritage, I have two thoughts. One: That I have no doubts Kintargo will rise to its former glory once again, and two: that Kintargo is... Different. Its peoples are kind and its former mayor was both forgiving and righteous. Even without Thrune, we have our own set of problems, but Kintargo stands out from Cheliax as much as a dwarf would in Kyonin. Why, even the vast Menador Mountains themselves offer a physical divide between Kintargo and the rest of Cheliax. A coincidence?" He removes his hand from Pádraig's shoulder. "I will leave that analysis up to you. But nothing comes close to Thrune's rule. As someone whose family was scandalized for his own philosophical disparities, I know a thing or two about rising up from the ashes." He smiles, and retreats back to his blanket.
Victor is up early, his eyes slam open as he wakes up in another unfamiliar spot. Then the smell quickly reminds him where he is I've slept in some bad spots, but I usually avoid the sewers and the docks if I can help it... lots to do today!
He gets up and rubs his stomach, which is reminding him he hasn't eaten in a while I'll get to you soon enough! He sits up and drags over his backpack, pulling out a book stuffed with papers and ink and pen. Getting himself set in a good writing set up with some bit of light from the new morning, he carefully starts writing. He uses his most regal looking paper as he does, making 6 copies of the same letter.
This portfolio contains examples of official letters along with proper forms of address, etiquette, and turns of phrase. Used by bureaucrats, diplomats, and clerks, it's also useful for counterfeiting official correspondence. It provides a +2 circumstance bonus on Diplomacy checks when dealing with city officials and a +2 circumstance bonus on Linguistics checks when creating forgeries. A book of letters is only accurate for a particular region, such as a country or even a town, and only provides its bonus relating to that region.
Issil spends her morning counting and comparing the various gems, trying to guess which ones are the most valuable.
Once people prepare, meditate and do whatever they need she stretches. "So we're going back to that coffeehouse, right?"
After volunteering for the first watch Geoffrey makes himself as comfortable as he can after checking on Morvena briefly.
She seems to be holding up well, but I will need to keep a close eye on her. There is no way we can return now.
After morning arrives he quickly runs through some exercises, basically calisthenics really, trying to stretch out the kinks in his muscles. Forcing the pangs of hunger out of his mind he looks over the shortbow found, pulling the string back experimentally. This will be useful. Too bad we don't have arrows for it...I think silvered arrows will be useful as well. He thinks, slinging the bow over his shoulder along with the silvered morningstar.
Looking over Victor's shoulders he easily recognizes the letters as the forgeries they are. "Good thinking Victor. All the same let's not chance fate by replying solely on these." He then gives a smile to the ladies Morvena and Issil, "Yes, as quickly as possible too. We don't know what the full ramifications are of the riot back at the Opera House. We need to be careful."
Rexus stretches his arms and legs out, then looks down over his clothes. His embroidered cloak features a layer of dust and mud stains and smells just as bad as where he'd slept. He unfastens his cloak, folding it inside out so that none of the precious gems or metalwork can be seen. Without the cloak, Rexus' appearance changes substantially, from that of a gaudy, wealthy nobleman to something more of a squire-for-hire - or a simple commoner. "That should keep the guards away. Especially with these documents and raven figurines in tow, we can't be too careful."
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A stomach rumble, loud enough to scare an ogre, wakes Pádraig Henry from a fitful sleep. He clambers up slow from the hard dirt floor, stiff as a troll in sunshine.
"Breakfast at Laria Longroad's Coffeehouse sure sounds good." Hunger helps him hurry.
I said, I shouldn't eat, she said, I think you should
But I can't, I'm plagued by vegetarians
No cats and dogs, I'm not a veterinarian
Strictly collard greens and a occasional steak
Goes on my plate
Asparagus tips look yummy, yummy, yummy
Candied yams inside my tummy
A collage of good eats, some snacks or nice treats
Apple sauce and some nice red beets
This is what we snack on when we're Questin'
(No second guessing)
I don't eat no ham n' eggs,
'Cause they're high in cholesterol
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Well-rested and hungry, you head back upstairs and exit the livery, taking care to shut the doors quietly behind you. Rexus guides you through the east end of Kintargo towards Longroads Coffehouse. On your way through, you notice a toppled wheelbarrow having spilled a large basket of grain. A man kneels, counting each grain as he places them back in the basket one by one. Two guards nudge him to count faster, irritated that he'd wasted so much to begin with. You pass by a number of shops and arrive at the edge of the Bleakbridge, where two armored Dottari stand, blocking your progress. Unfortunately, this is the only way to the other side of Kintargo.
"You there! Halt!" The guard commands, holding his mace out. "If you intend to cross, you'll have to pay the fee just like everyone else. 3 copper pieces. NOW," the troll of a guard demands.
"That's odd...didn't we pay you an hour ago?"
The guards glare at her, indicating they don't believe her words. "Oh, I guess not...I could give you a dance instead. You must be tired standing here protecting the bridge all day..."
Geoffrey gives the others a look of alarm, before hastily digging out a silver coin. "Don't worry about her, all she wants to do is dance." He offers the coin to the guard while holding his breath.
The last thing we need right now is any trouble...
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Despite the foulness of her surroundings, Morvena manages to get to sleep and rests well enough under the circumstances. She knew that the others likely expected her to dramatically wail at her plight of sleeping in foul-smelling basements - and it was admittedly quite unpleasant - but she was determined to soldier on.
A Sarini does what must be done, she muses to herself the next morning as she finishes studying her spellbook and making herself ready for travel.
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"Only three copper?" Morvena smiles when they're asked to pay the troll-guard's toll. "Mere pocket-change! Let us simply pay and be on our way," she advises, her highborn lineage blinding her to the fact that three copper certainly wasn't considered pocket-change by everyone.
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After the party passes by the man scrambling to pick up the grain on the street, all the while abused by two guards, Pádraig Henry grits his teeth and explains to his friends, "Saw it on a flyer posted on the wall outside the opera house. Barzillai Thrune's Proclamation the Fifth: 'Grain is life! Should grain be spilled in public, all must be gathered, cleaned, and repackaged within the hour. Any person who allows grain to go ungathered after a spillage shall be fined one copper piece per grain.'"
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At the Bleakbridge, Pádraig Henry maintains his silence, seething anger burning his heart. Another instance of the corrupt dottari shaking down Kintargo's cowed citizens. He knows it's best to let the humans do the talking. Dottari aren't about to tolerate a slip getting uppity.
No sense in picking a fight here people, just pay it for now! Victor plucks out 3 copper pieces from his belt pouch and drops it into the guard's tax pouch and doesn't say a word.
"Oh fine. Take your money." Issil drops 5 coppers. "Can we cross now?"
Rexus calmly hands over the three copper as well, knowing that now may be the worst time to drop any sort of contentious jab, as tempting as it might be.
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"Do you think this is some sort of game?" The guard firmly questions Issil when she breaks into dance. He counts each piece of copper falling into the pouch. "Ah, wise of you to pay more than asked after a display like that," he says to Issil, noting she'd overpaid.
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Across the bridge, you continue through the streets and end up at the Longroad's Coffeehouse. Located in Villegre Disrict, the establishment caters to an eclectic mix of customers, serving coffee and food to bright-eyed students of the Villegre and delivering fancy desserts and pastries to the noble estates in the Green.
Pushing open the door, the decadent smell of brewed coffee and warm pastries fills your senses. A cute halfling with short blonde hair and a green shirt looks up from taking an order as you enter. She smiles brightly as she sees Rexus and rushes over to you.
"Ah, Rexus, it's so good to see you! And I see you've brought all of our old friends too." She quickly pours six cups of steaming coffee and presses them into your hands together with a plate containing a veritable assortment of danishes and doughnuts. "Please, make yourselves at home. Why don't you all come back to my office? We have to catch up on old times!" She winks knowingly, then waves you ahead towards the back of the coffeehouse.
Victor walks past the bridge and leaves the toll guard behind, once they are out of earshot he whispers to Issil and the group "Thank you for not causing a scene there. Remember what I said about keeping things discreet... at least for now!"
The smells coming from the coffee house kick his growling stomach into overdrive as a small tendril of drool can be seen sliding down to his chin before he wipes it away. "I'm so hungry! These guys have great donuts, even the ones they toss that are a couple days old!" His eyes dart to a series of trash cans located around the backside of the establishment. Now that I've got some decent coin maybe I should start carrying around a bit of food for the next time I'm stuck sleeping in an old horse slaughter house!
As the Halfling woman greets them with fresh coffees and donuts Victor smiles and nods "You must have heard my stomach from around the corner! Keep them coming!" He smiles at her, appreciating the friendly, pretty face with an extra long smile and nod before heading to the back with a mouthful of pastry.
Geoffrey is much to polite to allow the smells to lose his composure but the smells were proving to be a distraction. He patiently awaits for Morvena to introduce him to the halfling proprietor, as is proper in these situations, before he suddenly realizes that their noble lineage was a part of their life that no longer existed.
"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Longroad! Our dear friend Rexus speaks highly of you!" He nods at Laria while following behind Morvena to the office.
"If you want discreet, you chose the wrong lady." Issil seems oblivious to how much danger she was in. "They're asking for 3 coppers now- they'll ask for 5 tomorrow. And then a gold. Then when you give them a gold, they will 'know' you have more and demand two. It will never stop." Issil skips ahead, practicing another dance step but also keeping pace with the party. You may have noticed that she is very quick on her feet.
"Trust me, I've been in that situation too many times- cocky guards, judges, nobles- all think they're better because they have titles and weapons and authority." She pauses mid step. "I'll show them their supposed power is nothing more than a joke." Just as sudden, she snaps back to her energetic self. "Besides, I gotta test my powers of seduction somewhere. Practice, practice, practice!"
Issil's emotions change quickly, but her anger was quite clear. Even when she hides it behind a smile.
At the coffeehouse, she takes in the scent. "Man, this is familiar. Let's go to her office, quickly. Huh, I recognize a few of the customers here..."
Geoffrey quirks an eyebrow at the histrionics from Lady Issil, before shrugging helplessly. She must be under a lot of stress. Maybe I can talk with her later...
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"You...do have a valid point," Morvena concedes after they pay the toll and resume their stroll. "But still, Victor is correct that just then was not the time to make a scene. Be patient, I am sure you will have a chance to make a grand scene soon enough."
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As they reach the Coffeehouse, Morvena smiles happily as she inhales the wonderful aroma of sweet baked goods and rich coffee. "It has been too long since I've been here. They have a wonderful dark roast that you all simply must try!"
However, her smile falters as several of the group seem to miss Miss Longroad's more subtle insinuation as she invites them into her office to catch up. "Why Geoffrey, you're such a card! Dear Laria, please pay him no mind, you know how much Geoffrey loves a good joke - especially since we're all such good friends," Morvena quickly cuts in. "Yes, please let us retreat to somewhere a sight quietly so we can properly catch up!"
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Victor is far too distracted by something to notice anything amiss.
As he sits in the back room he takes to the doughnuts like a feral dog to a bone, happily snatching up the sugary snacks as fast as he can with any and all means necessary. "Did you see that!" He points up to the ceiling excitedly.
"Oh. Just Pava, such a pretty bird. I bet I can find her some tasty snacks here... hey where'd they all go!" Victor looks around on the floor to see if they've rolled away.
"Huh? Did I miss it?" Issil scans the ceiling.
Issil grins. Hehe, I'll keep your secret. Eat up, Pava.
[dice=Sense Motive DC19]d20
[dice=Sense Motive DC15]d20
[dice=Perception DC13]d20+6
Secret messages to birds, frosting on his shirt. Pádraig Henry shakes his head. These longshanks should see a therapist.
"Ah...Victor?" Morvena coughs. "I believe these are referred to as 'finger foods', not 'fist foods'."
Pava laughs and flutters over to rest on Victor's arm, pecking at something on his sleeve. Stray crumbs, perhaps.
"Um...thank you...no one has ever called me pretty before," she replies shyly.
Geoffrey is completely distracted by Morvena's admonishments and almost completely misses the interaction between Victor and Pavanna.
I must be more careful here! We are playing for keeps now!
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"Ah...Victor?" Morvena coughs. "I believe these are referred to as 'finger foods', not 'fist foods'."
Victor gives Morvena a curious look "Oh yes, they are delicious aren't they! Hopefully the bring out more, its kind of odd they didn't bring out enough for all of us isn't it? I think I could eat nearly a dozen just myself right now!" He finishes off the last of the one he's got in his mitt, while Pava sits on his other wrist pecking at something.
"Oh, here Pava, have this little bit here.." He grabs another doughnut, this one with crumbly, sugary bits on the top, and breaks off about a quarter of it, setting it on the table for the colorful bird, and stuffing his face with the remainder, washing it down a bit with some coffee.
"I wonder when Laria is going to join us? Maybe she got pulled away last minute on business or is filling in for someone at a poker table?" Victor looks around at the others in the coffeehouse, trying to see if he recognizes anyone or any particular emblems or seals.
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"That's too cute, dear, pretending we haven't met before," Laria winks at Pádraig and Geoffrey as she moves towards the back of the coffeehouse, "It's been a long time after all!" She calls loudly, then shuts the door of her office quietly. Her face drops. "You must exercise a little caution here. There are eyes and ears everywhere, my dears."
Rexus scatters a few chairs for each of you, then has a seat, sipping on his coffee. "Laria, it is good to see you again. Please, allow me to introduce my new companions." He takes a moment to share each of your names. "Not only did these fine people save my life, they also accompanied me to the Fair Fortune Livery. It was... An experience."
Laria opens her eyes and mouth wide, turning to Victor and Morvena. "Oh?! Do tell me what you saw there, I'd love to hear your stories! Was it a grand adventure? Don't leave me hanging now!"
Issil lounges against a chair. "So Rexus, you know this lady? Who is she again?"
"Let's say the Livery was anything BUT alive. We fought off a few staving dogs and then some... infernal things hiding underneath. I made a mess of myself. Good thing water is easy to come by."
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"There were some fey, too. Grimples. We cleared them out," Pádraig Henry adds.
"Say, do you recognize these clay ravens? They're enchanted, but we haven't figured out their properties." He displays the six cast birds for Laria to examine.
"I think they might have been used by the Silver Ravens. Do you know anything about their fate? I suppose the Lord-Mayor's lackeys have slain them all." Sorrow strains his voice.
Victor concentrates mostly on eating and drinking as the others speak with the attractive new woman Do I have trust issues or are these guys far too quick to open up to total strangers?
For now he holds his tongue for anything besides swallowing, listening on but appearing completely focused on the food.
"It certainly was something," Morvena responds, thinking back to the unholy stench they'd had to contend with during their explorations and evening rest. "But thankfully it turned out to be a rather lucrative venture and worth the effort."
She leans forward in her chair, resting her elbows on the table. "However, Rexus seems to feel that you might be able to offer some additional insight regarding some...documents...that we happened to find?"
Geoffrey leans forward in his own chair nodding in response to the ladies' summary of what lurked underneath the Livery, "Yes you both have it pretty well summed up. What troubles me is the infernal presence we discovered down there...and the means to summon them. While we did cleanse the place of their foul stench I wonder if those who are beholden to the devils laid a trap for any who may return."
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Issil lounges against a chair. "So Rexus, you know this lady? Who is she again?"
"This lady is Laria Longroad, a friend of the Porcia Victocora, Rexus' missing mother," she answers for Rexus, lowering her head as she does so.
Passed the satchel of clay ravens, Laria pulls one out and examines it curiously. "I haven't a clue, dear."
"We located those figurines along with this stack of documents that Morvena mentioned," Rexus adds, pulling the bound papers from his rucksack. "Of the few words I've translated so far, I know that they belong to the Silver Ravens. There's plenty more in here, I just need the time to translate it." He continues combing through the pages. With the cipher a blend of Strix, Elven, and Celestial, they appear more as otherworldly runes rather than actual words. "They never wanted this to be read... Unless someone really wanted to read it. And if my mother wanted me to find it, I know I must figure out what is written here!"
"Dogs, infernal things, and fey? Oh my. And to think the entire city guard considers the Livery abandoned. Hah!" Laria chuckles happily. Bouncing over to her desk, Laria takes a seat and puts her legs up. "Rexus, let's not get so ahead of ourselves with the documents just yet. Given you've all managed to defeat infernal creatures, and you're now friends of Rexus', I take it you have interest in the Silver Ravens too." She leans forward over her desk. "I am an associate of the Bellflower Network. As part of my association, I've taken it upon myself to know as much as I can about the city's other similarly aligned secret and.. Not-so-secret groups. However, under Thrune's scorched-earth policy, most of my information network has been killed, arrested, or run to ground, leaving me virtually blind as a fixer."
"Below my Coffeehouse are a set of super secret tunnels. I've used them to hide fugitives, Bellflower tillers, and stolen goods. Even gave the place a name - the Wasp Nest. Problem is... It's no longer under my control. I'd allowed a friend, Nan Comerivos, to smuggle a load of Varisian textiles through the tunnels adjoining my basement. He'd been storing many of them until he could find a buyer. He was down there a few days ago to check on his goods amid the troubles, but still hasn’t emerged." She narrows her lips. "With the city and my networks falling apart, and having to continue to run the Coffeehouse, I haven't had the time to follow up on my friend’s fate. I hope he's fine and is simply lying low. After all, someone has been eating the food and wine I leave in the basement each day... But by night, all I hear is strange, inhuman laughter echo from below."
She leans back in her chair again, tossing a rubber ball back and forth in her palms. "If you think as I do, you're wondering if the Wasp Nest would be a good place to start working on those documents in secret... Away from the prying eyes of Thrune and his lackeys. Maybe even establish a base of operations. Hmm?"
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Issil tries to not yawn. "So what, you want us to clean up your basement?" She shrugs. "Still, I could use a cleaner hideout. And we need somewhere we can lay low. I'm up for it."
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Victor looks up from his munching and smiles "The question is... will there be free doughnuts, cake and coffee? If so I think we can get this deal wrapped up pretty quickly..." He holds out his hand in greeting "I'm Victor, sorry to be so rude, I hadn't really eaten much in a few days. I hope these don't hurt my stomach, are they gluten free?" He says with a smirk.
He breaks off a few more crumbs and drops them down in front of Pava.
Geoffrey rises to his feet pacing around the office as he collects his thoughts, "This news is very troubling to me Laria. How well did you know this friend of yours Nan Comerivos? I know you are a very good judge of character but as we have seen, it is very easy to suborn one unless they have a strong will." He then gives Victor a look rolling his eyes before turning his attention back to Lady Laria, "We would be happy to help you out here Laria, and yes I believe the Wasp Nest would be ideal to our needs."
He sits back down and finishes up his own pastry, "Do you have any supplies we can use? Any spare weapons or arrows would be most helpful."
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Pádraig Henry shakes the halfling's hand. "Laria Longroad, I will seek your friend Nan Comerivos and discover what happened." He looks to his companions. "I'm certain I'm not the only one willing to do so."
He nods at Geoffrey's concerns and his practicality. "Trust, it seems, is the rarest commodity in these troubled times. Indeed, we would appreciate any resources you might spare."
"Hmm...if you suspect that your tunnels would make for an appropriate and secure place to hide then I think it would be in our best interests to venture below and see what has become of your friend," Morvena agrees. "And if there has been some manner of breach, to find out where it is so it may be plugged."
Laria smiles widely as her request is heard. "Thanks, you won't regret this! Nan was my contact from greater Varisia - Sandpoint, to be specific. He joined the Network years ago and has been instrumental in illicit trade in the region." When asked for supplies, the halfling opens a drawer at the bottom of her desk and pulls out a quiver containing forty arrows. She also hands over three of her own daggers. "This is, unfortunately, the best I can do for now. I'm sure you know of Thrune's stymying of the magical item market. Coming across more powerful weapons has been difficult, if not impossible." Regardless, she hands over the goods she does have.
Leading you out of her office and to the pantry next door, Laria opens a concealed trapdoor to a cellar below. She climbs down with you and points towards a further concealed door on the wall. "To open this, knock three times, then press this button. Like so." She completes the ritual, and the door-shaped piece of the wall pops out to a corridor. "Well then. I must get back to my customers, but I will check back with you shortly. Promise. Good luck!" Rexus' face goes lobster red when Laria hops up to kiss his cheek, and she scurries back up the ladder, giggling.
Rexus clears his throat awkwardly and tries to hide his smile. "Heh.. She is... Something, that's for sure. Helpful? It seems so. Um, let us be on."
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This basement contains numerous crates of cooking ingredients, sacks of coffee beans, and other supplies needed to maintain a thriving business.
"Yes lets proceed...cautiously here. Something seems...wrong yet I cannot place my finger on it." Geoffrey nods as he takes a position next to Morvena, sword at the ready.
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"Rexus, think with your head up here. We might need you to redo that light show you made yesterday." Issil nudges him with her elbow as she draws her shield and dagger.
As the party descends, Issil tries to keep quiet.
She kicks a rock halfway down the steps and frowns. "I need to get good at this sneaking stuff."