"Thank you Rexus," says Rexandi. "You are my SAVIOR."
Rexus bows with a flamboyant air and a grin
"You honour me, Miss Rexandi."
"Now Rex that wasn't my point."
Rexandi replies to Bazzle, "I'm not mad at you, Bazzle, I just don't want to be covered in filth AND I don't want to take unsolicited showers with other people. I'm just annoyed that people took the rejection of one as the acceptance of the other."
"Hours upon hours wading through feces can heighten anyone's annoyance level." Aster says with a bit of distraction.
"Your magic is much appreciated, Rexus, thank you. I will bypass the bath. Instead, I'll have one at home tonight. For the first time in some time, I might be home early." she looks to each of her companions with a bright smile "That means there will be time for a splendid Tea Party with little Becka. You all, of course, are welcome to join us, if you wish." the offer seems genuine "Oh, I should pick up more of those scones you found this morning, Rexi." the mom-stand-in is already moving to head out since while the offer is genuine, she does not expect any takers.
"Why don't I go with you to get those scones, Aster, and then I can join the tea-party with Becka!" says Rexandi, hiking up her skirts to follow her ratty friend.
Aster practically beams "That would be delightful. And not just because I don't know where you got the baked yummies. Becka has heard so much about you she'll be bouncing about for days."
"No problem! It's a delightful bakery that's actually not too far from our little hideaway, on a good day you can smell them from a block away... I'll show you!" says Rexandi, resuming a more pleasant composure.
"... does Becka like magic tricks?"
"Yes, she does!" Aster smiles warmly in memory "Her mother had minor magical gifts. Minor levitation, coloring things magically, making soft sounds come from all over. Something like one of those magically inclined troubadours. I'm no good at anything like that, so I think she would love to see them again."
"I shall be able to keep myself, but only myself clean and dry through the sewers, since that is apparently an issue."
Abbo smiles towards Aster and Rex. He was glad for the momentary peace, and happy to see his newfound group seems to be alive and well. He greeted Rexus with a shy nod. He was hoping his playfulness would lighten the mood, but it ended up sparking more friction than he bargained for - so he decided to keep his silence.
Instead, he actually allowed himself to lean against a wall and sit on the floor. The humble man didn't have possessions other than what he was carrying. He was a mason of late, true, but had been an outlaw for a lot longer, and felt these people wouldn't necessarily approve of his past. Yet they were all outlaws of a sort, and likely the next time the authorities get him would be his last.
Now, though... It was time to breath, deeply, and meditate. Some lives were lost, but they were in a righteous path. Pharasma shall receive them, he thought, fearful of the Lady of Graves. It feels like lately, I had been sending a lot more souls to her than I anticipated...
For long moments he just stayed in his corner, but eventually decided to stand up and explore the Nexus for a bit. Maybe even take a bath, like the others, despite the fact it wasn't a Sunday.
The Nexus, or rather, the Wasp Nest, is a small lair used by Laria while she was working for the Bellflower Network. It has four rooms, though the center-room is by far the largest. Abbo came in from the sewers to the center room, which has a pool of fresh river water for occupants to drink or clean themselves with. It regularly flows back into the sewers. The center room is whatever it needs to be, but usually it holds tables for eating or working. At times, these tables are cleared for some combat training. The southern room is for storage of clothing, money, food, blankets, and other supplies. The western area is the barracks and wash area. Everyone except for Laria sleeps here, and since there are more people than bunks, some individuals operate on a nocturnal schedule. The wash area is a cold water shower operated by simply removing a cork from a nozzle. It was meant for Halflings, but the Humans make do. The last room is to the north, and is called the cellar. The cellar is divided by a hidden door, and is technically part of the Longroad Coffeehouse. Upstairs is the Coffeehouse proper, and above the coffeehouse is Laria's suite.
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Becka welcomes Rexandi and Scones (I mean Aster) home very eagerly. They all talk and do magic tricks, eat and tell stories. One of the things Becka mentions off-hand is that she wishes she had a tail that she could dress with a yellow ribbon and a little bell.
Sunday, the 24th of Sarenith
Day 2 of the week
A gust of wind whips through Kintargo this morning, with cloudy skies quickly shifting overhead. No rain is expected this day, but Laria expects arrows and bolts will be hampered with the weather.
As it's Sunday, most businesses are closed for religious observance. Each temple has its doors open wide for mass, and missionaries walk along the streets in the hopes of enticing someone to their doors.
Rexandi and Aster are on their way back to the Wasp Nest, and are just passing through the temple district. One of the sights they see is a priest of Asmodeus, standing upon a wooden platform erected next to the street.
"And order be respected! These brigands and terrorizers refuse to accept due authority, and seek to steal your hard-earned gold for themselves! So be wary, my proud Chelish men and women. Keep an eye on your rabble-rousing neighbors, for they disobey the law, and seek vengeance through their own twisted eyes. Have faith in the hard-working Dottari. Have faith in your hard-pressed Lord Mayor. And have faith in the ever strong church of Asmodeus!"
Aster and Rexandi arrive at the Coffeehouse and move down to the Wasp Nest. Inside, Vandomir, Bazzle, and Abbo are all ready to head out. The real question is, to where?
The group sends a silver raven figurine to Nisha in the Lucky Bones to ask about liquid ice. Their reply arrives in about a half hour in the form of a scroll, though it isn't quite what they were hoping to hear.
"I'm really sorry, but I don't have any in stock. Liquid ice is pretty hard to make. It would take me about 3 days to finish one. I can start one this evening after I finish up this antiplague. Sorryyy."
"PS: Normally I'd suggest you visit the Newt Market, but he's been missing for the last couple of days. I know there's an enchanted frost lucerne hammer at the War Cage, but I doubt that's in your price range. If you get a wand or scroll, I know that Rexus has some skill in using arcane magic items. No great solutions, sorry again."
"PS2: I sent one of the Salties to you with my infusions. He'll be there in an hourish. Good luck!"
"Hmmm can anyone use a Lucerne Hammer. I have the crack of lightening we could trade for it. Or if someone has another magic item that we could trade, or pawn, or hold as collateral."
"We'll stop by the market to see if we can find any for sale, hoping the hearts might be enough anyway."
The group make a short excursion to the other side of Villegre, where they've shopped for alchemical supplies previously. Where they once found the little stall of alchemy run by the bug-eyed gnome, the Newt is no where to be found. The stall has been completely uprooted and left abandoned. A wanted poster has been nailed to the stall, showing the face of the Newt.
300 gold piece reward for the capture of the bomb-maker known as The Newt.
Wanted for:
- Trading in stolen goods
- Operating a business without a merchant license and building permit
- Tax evasion
- Selling of poisons
- Suspected of arson
300 gold pieces will be paid by the Order of the Rack for his apprehension, to be delivered alive to Citadel Vaull. If delivered dead, only 50 gold pieces will be paid. The target is suspected to be armed and dangerous.
Signed: Paralictor Kyrre Ekodyre
"Aw man not Newt. I mean he was a stickler on price but . . ." He looks around and says loudly, He looks at his friens, "Another alchemist for the cause perhaps."
"That would be lovely. Any ideas where the Newt might be?"
He definitely sounds... Useful. Assuming he'd be interested to join, if we can persuade him... - says Abbo, thinking out loud as he waits on an answer from Bazzle for Aster's question.
Bazzle gnomes that there aren't any Gnomish communities in Kintargo, so it's unlikely the Newt has shacked up with relatives. More likely, he's in hiding. It's possible he's using his alchemy to disguise himself, so he may be above ground, walking the streets as another Gnome, a Halfling, or even a Human child. Hardly a good lead, but Bazzle does think of one thing: With The Newt gone and Vespam Artisans appropriated, any trade of alchemy is likely to take place on the black market. If the Newt wants to make a living, he'll continue making and selling alchemical items.
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"It doesn't hurt to ask around for him." Aster goes about doing just that, asking around the market about where he might be, posing as a customer who really needs to talk to him about a potion he was making for her sick child.
"What did you learn Aster?"
"Well I can check with the street performs some of them use alchemical shennaniganry in their performances." He thrusts out his hand and a playing card appears to pop out. He shakes it like its hot and it bursts into a flash and smoke. "They might have a lead on alchemists on the down low. Or who to talk to.
[b]"Some of the tasks we have on our ever growing to do list. Is talking to allies and seeing how we can help. Lets check on some folks that might turn up some news that we can use."
Aster certainly takes her time, but her caution and patience is rewarded. She learns that The Newt cleaned and left his stall before the Hellknights arrived, suggesting he was warned ahead of time. He was seen sneaking onto a boat that occasionally risks shipping people and goods across the river so they don't have to deal with the guards on the bridge. From there, things get a bit hazy, but it's well known that he got the majority of his supply from the salt market in Old Kintargo. He may have some allies who were willing to shelter him. Aster learns that no one particularly likes The Newt, because he's quite creepy and shady, but he's proven to be an excellent manager. He follows the rules, keeps his promises, and is quite reliable. Not to mention he's probably the best alchemist in Kintargo. The whole permit and tax evasion thing was a bit of a shock, and not everyone believes it to be true, but no one would dare question the Hellknights.
Being a Sunday, Aster also gets plenty of advice on how to take care of her sick child, which includes visiting the temple of Asmodeus for spellcasting. Members of the church gain a significant discount.
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Meanwhile, Bazzle visits with some of the Silver Ravens and asks them what he can do to help.
"Our best bet is in Old Kintargo it seems."
Meanwhile, Bazzle visits with some of the Silver Ravens and asks them what he can do to help.
"Old Kintargo it is then? Disguises?"
Vandomir will start each day by casting fastidiousness, to keep himself clean and such all day.
As the group is waiting for Aster to gather information, Abbo keeps exploring the place. He finally gets to see Laria - the halfling brawler/rogue - and immediately identifies some affinities.
Great to meet you! - says Abbo, as he's able to finally single her out to talk in midst of the other parallel conversations - I don't believe we ever made full acquaintance. I'm Abbo. You should be Laria, right?
Abbo isn't flirty - his tone is more of that trying to identify likeminded individuals. In the hinyasi's mind, this would be a good opportunity to get to know other members of the rebellion, and eventually even identify if there's any help they'd be needing.
I am probably the worst here to disguise myself, but I guess at least I don't carry any true weapons! - says Abbo, playfully agreeing with the plan of disguising and heading to Old Kintargo.
In the Wasp Nest, Laria watches Abbo come up to greet her. She smiles wide and puts her hands on her hips. "I sure should be. Welcome to my lil sanctuary, sweetheart. Word has it you fight with a mug and a shovel. Y'know we got swords right? Or are you just goin easy on em?"
Abbo has enough insight to know that Laria is just playing with him. As a fellow brawler, it's quite unlikely that sword of her's gets used much.
Well... I don't actually know how to use swords. Or other... Proper weapons. Between us, it feels like it nets me better results by getting them by surprise with some improvisation and a lot of luck!
He laughs and tries to pull a mug to drink. Brawlers were about punching, at the end of the day, so she knew it all very well.
Between us, I don't even know how I ended up here. You know, the others seem a lot more... Prepared. I'm just a mason slapping people with whatever tools I find around. I wonder who else would feel like that.
Laria pours him a mug of ale to drink, her expression going from cheerful and flirtatious to more thoughtful. "You're here cuz you care about the cause. That's what unites us all. Just about all of us come from unique backgrounds, and not everyone's prepared to stand on the front line, even those who can use swords."
I am probably the worst here to disguise myself, but I guess at least I don't carry any true weapons! - says Abbo, playfully agreeing with the plan of disguising and heading to Old Kintargo.
"I can help with that. Years in the theatre. I have been working more on make up of late as well."
Bazzle looks through things and finds a rather non-descript outfit with the signs of wear and tear from hard work. "Here you go. You already are well on your way to the dark hair dark eye look of Chellish stock. Hmmm. Still missing something." Vendalfek the faerie dragon flits over with a thick simple tool belt. "Oh good thanks Ven." He puts a chisel and a small mallet on the belt. "Still missing something. A hat. You don't work in the sun all day without a boom a hat." He picks up the straw had looks it over and frowns. He jabs his finger roughly in a spot loosening the weave and leaving a small tear. He looks at the hat again. He looks up at Abbo, "Hey what's that." Pointing toward the far wall. He drops the hat rubs it into the floor and steps on it a few times wiping his boot. He picked it back up satisfied with the level of faux aging. "Your hat sir."
"Change your posture a bit too, not too much. Just a little." Aster who always holds her body straight, slumps her shoulders, sagging her body. Eyes downcast, no glint in them or hint of a smile. "Helps sell any disguise in this city to act like you simply have hope."
Rexandi knows that trying to disguise her tiefling heritage is probably pointless, so she settles for taking on a different skin color and changing her apparel.
Yes... I guess you're right. - says Abbo, scratching his chin. He had to find a blade; it had already been almost a week since he shaved, and he liked a somewhat clean face - Yet, I feel our biggest opportunity is to not necessarily focus on the grand scheme of things, but focus on the issues of the little guy.
He got closer to talk to her. While he wasn't whispering he was using a lower voice volume.
I am not proud of my background, but I imagine many of us here are on the same boat, and I lost someone important to me. A good friend and mentor, I should say, someone who gave me opportunities when things were... Bleak. Regardless, and that might be my point, things just worked for me because I took one day at a time.
The brawler paused momentarily.
So, for our ideals to work, maybe we should take one person at a time. One issue at a time, and try to make the world a better place piece by piece. Like you, for example... What could we make better to you? Anything we could do?
Abbo looks at Bazzle and Aster.
I... Look good? Am I supposed to look like a carpenter, maybe? - he says, replacing the mallet with another version from his Traveler's Any-Tool Set - Not that I don't feel I would be ready to fight with the other one, but this one might give me an edge.
He smiles at the thought - he was a mason; common folk. Disguising as another type of common folk wouldn't really take a lot. In fact, despite his armor beneath the clothes, he felt pretty much like everyday before he joined the rebellion.
You know, my face is so bland... That likely already blends! But that's good work, my friends. Wish I could hide some of my scars. I should let my mustache grow!
Vandomir can at least appear as what he is, a down on his luck nobleman stonemason.
Aster mock frowns at Vandomir attempt. "Both of you beat the stuffing out of the thuggish militia and earned the attention of a devilish priest who promised to hunt you down... remember. At least wear a hat if nothing else." she finds a floppy one with a feather if it helps. :)
Bazzle went to the kit and changed is hair color a bit. Pushing his greyish green a deep into a cobalt approaching black. He transitioned to simple clothing of an everyday merchant type. Not to drab but none to fancy.
The group gets in their disguises and walk through the sewer gate. Early on, they encounter a group of Skritt, but surprisingly they do little more than walk by and say "Hello hello Skrittsmen." Aster thinks the Skritt identified them with scent.
They move through the sewers until they reach the underside of Bleakbridge. Established by some of the previous Silver Ravens, they climb up a knotted rope before crawling along boards set up directly underneath the stone bridge. On the other side they climb down another rope, then scurry back into the sewers.
Now under Redroof, the group walk a long ways south before turn to the west. As they do so, they see a shining light just a couple dozen feet away. A man stands there, wearing layered leathers and bearing a buckler that glows. In his other hand is a heavy mace.
"This place is off limits. You must leave immediately."