"I agree destroying that thing would make the world a better place. A sliver of one, but still better is better." Aster thinks.
Hetamon Haace greets Rexandi warmly, though professionally. "Good evening, miss Rexandi. Yes, would it be alright if I present it to you upstairs? I would like to speak with you."
-----------------------
Rexus ponders where he could learn how to destroy the abyssal whip. "That's not the kind of information just kept in any old library. Let me go through the soul tomes we collected from the many-steps monastery. They might know something."
"O-of course," says Rexandi to Hetamon. "Is, um, is there something that I can do for you?"
Hetamon shows Rexandi upstairs to what looks to be his living room. Though the relatively small area does have a couch and two chairs around a coffee table, most of it can't be seen with all the clothes draped overtop. Multiple mugs rest on the table, each with varying levels of cold coffee still in them. Several manakins with various half-completed outfits line a wall, while a shelf of plaster heads sport various half-completed hats. "Forgive me, it's all I can do to keep the shop in order." Hetamon smirks. He shoves some of the clothing aside so Rexandi can have a place to sit. Then, he takes out a wand from his pocket. "Just to give a bit of privacy." As he casts a spell, Rexandi easily identifies it as a Silent Table spell.
When the two are settled, Hetamon says "As a teenager, I was a healer in Old Kintargo. I used splints and salves, herbs, and cheap alchemical substances to help those who couldn't afford magical aid. It warms my heart that someone else has taken on that task, miss Rexandi. I've heard your name more than once around Redroof. You've selflessly given to the community, and I would like to see it repaid. However, I have a question to ask. Over the last three weeks, I haven't heard anything about your deeds, so when you arrived at my shop I was a bit surprised. Are you still practicing medicine?"
Rexandi is skeptical about who to trust, but if Hetamon is going to the trouble of using a spell that is probably illegal, then either he's really working hard to set her up, or he's at least neutral to the cause of the Rebellion, she decides.
"I um... yes, I'm still practicing," she says. "Both magical and mundane. But some um... friends and I have been occupied with some local problems, like an aberration that was kidnapping people, and a succubus that had gotten loose in an old part of the city and had enslaved some folks. I ah... tend to just think of myself as a little street witch with some petty healing magic but, ah, I was kind of obligated to help, and we managed to defeat the aberration and discorporate the succubus."
"I have skillful friends," she adds after a moment.
"Kintargo faces many problems and someone has to look out for folks!"
"A succubus?" Hetamon says, both surprised and impressed. "Are you educated on succubi? Particularly their curses? My father has been suffering from one such curse for the last twenty years."
"I can't really take credit for it—my magic is useless against a succubus, and I'm no warrior," says Rexandi frankly. "I know a bit about them, given our... y'know, shared heritage. Not a lot. Enough to know that it certainly couldn't be allowed to roam around charming people and draining their life energy."
"No, certainly not." Hetamon replies. "Well I'm glad you were able to defeat one with your team, as concerning as it is. If you learn more about them, please let me know. In the meantime, I have a gift for you. My prized satchel, which I first started using as a simple healer's kit perhaps fifteen years ago. It's been enhanced since then. Please use it to continue treating the poor and the destitute. Your friends are important, and the deeds you're up to are important, but don't forget about the commoners who lack the strength to take care of themselves."
Hetamon presents Rexandi with a specialized healer's satchel. It's been well used, but the magic continues to mend the old and worn leather.
"I... I was going to buy this from you," stammers Rexi. "Of course, I promise to help as many people as I can with it. Especially given some of the brutality that Thrune is exercising on folk going about their everyday lives."
"I guess... while I'm here and I have money in my pocket... can I purchase a corset and maybe a few other things?"
Hetamon gives a genuine smile when he sees Rexandi stammer. "I haven't had the time to help as much as I've wanted. It feels best to give it to you, and I can always get another if things open up around here." Back to a more neutral face, he adds "If you roam around the whole city, you'll find a lot of cases, not just in Redroof or Old Kintargo, although that's where a lot of it is. People are failing in their businesses, and the unemployed are getting larger and larger. We're going to be dealing with more family violence and drug overdoses. Criminals will try to nurse their wounds on their own rather than go to the churches. With Bleakbridge getting more and more expensive, families are getting separated. I just mean that guard brutality is without question happening, but there are plenty of other things that are happening too that no one is talking about."
When Rexandi asks about buying a few things, Hetamon says "Of course. If you need anything altered, please don't hesitate to ask."
Anything under or equal to 10gp is always in stock
Anything above 10gp, but less or equal to 200gp has a 75% chance of being available
Anything above 200gp, but less or equal to 500gp has a 50% chance of being available
Anything above 500gp, but less or equal to 1000gp has a 25% chance of being available
Hetamon also has a pair of Boots of Levitation, which he's willing to let you take for 4,150gp
Toilday, the 26th of Sarenith
Day 4 of the week
The morning air is a bit chilly, with large clouds blotting out the sun. Artisans and labourers get ready for curfew to lift, and begin a long day of work. As the name suggests, Toilday is a day of work, with shifts of 12 hours or more in an effort to make up for Sunday worship, and the general curfew.
Laria brings down a pot of coffee, along with a large bowl of porridge, a loaf of rye bread, and some soft sheep cheese. She's already dressed and ready for the day, wearing a standard tavern girl's dress with a low cut blue bodice. The yellow cotton nearly matches her short, golden locks.
"Good morning, darlings. What are you up to today? Tonight, the Skritt are going to report on the Holding House."
"Good morning. Tonight. Cool." He smiles, "Hmm you are a welcome sight." He looks at her a moment and then a wave of awkward fear rushes over him and he changes the subject. "With as much action as the sewers have seen lately I think we need to get your sewer entrance turned secret. I drew this up." He hands her a drawing with the entrance made secret and the old door set into a new frame that looks bricked up. "Not just hidden but a false door that looks bricked off. I can help or do you have some construction guys that you trust."
Vandomir peruses Bazzles drawings, noting any deficiencies...
She also makes several clothing purchases, amounting to several hundred gold pieces, and feels rather guilty about this lavish display of wealth; she purchases a few sensible outfits ranging from a pair of breeches and a pair of trousers for practical use, some extra hose, and a new bodice, to a few racier selections for personal amusement as well as another drape in a different color and a hooded cloak saturated with a water-repellent unguent.
"You've been very kind and helpful," she says to Hetamon as she has her purchases wrapped into a large bundle. "I'm sure I will come back again some time. Maybe bring a few friends for clothes shopping."
Rexandi stifles a yawn as she joins the morning crew. "I was thinking of getting in some work on the old Livery, but I'm flexible," she says. Given the cold, she's thrown on her new water-resistant dark blue cloak over her drape and one of her new bodices—it seems that her trip to the Devil's Threads led to a whole change of wardrobe. "I'm afraid I don't know anything about engineering, though. How can I help?"
Vandomir peruses Bazzles drawings, noting any deficiencies...
He waits a moment and then pipes in. "The current entrance is here. If we build a new "door" we can put the old one a few feet to the left. Maybe use different brick behind it to appear like he entrance is bricked off." He pauses when he notes a stain left on the behind from his blueberries. He wipes it off what do you think.
"Good morning. Tonight. Cool." He smiles, "Hmm you are a welcome sight." He looks at her a moment and then a wave of awkward fear rushes over him and he changes the subject. "With as much action as the sewers have seen lately I think we need to get your sewer entrance turned secret. I drew this up." He hands her a drawing with the entrance made secret and the old door set into a new frame that looks bricked up. "Not just hidden but a false door that looks bricked off. I can help or do you have some construction guys that you trust."
"Oh thanks hun!" Laria replies with a smile, although Bazzle isn't sure if she's talking about the compliment or the secret door. "I'm hiring a team for construction work, but you're welcome to get your hands dirty if you want. Mmmmm this stuff is beyond me, but you know the door is also how we get our water, so don't brick up the whole thing."
That's when Vandomir takes a look and posits that they can brick off most of the door, leaving room for a water pipe. The whole job, including the new secret door, would cost about 100gp and a week for the crafters to take care of.
Aster arrives in the morning, smiling and chatting with anyone who is willing. At the talk of building she scrunches her nose "I do not have that particular talent, but I can work at getting you the resources you need."
Ever the professional, Hetamon smiles and says "It's been a pleasure. Fare well, miss Rexandi."
--------------------
"That reminds me, Aster" Rexus says as he enters the common room from storage. "That chest of goods you got from yesterday, I was hoping you would assist me in appraising it. I remember you were once a merchant, yes?"
"And Rexandi, dear. Would you mind helping me with this last page of spell knowledge? I simply cannot identify it, and it's quite frankly driving me mad."
Aster is eager to help out, though these particular goods are nothing she has ever traded in before. "Hmmm... I don't know much about them, but there are always buyers for anything."
"And Rexandi, dear. Would you mind helping me with this last page of spell knowledge? I simply cannot identify it, and it's quite frankly driving me mad."
"Of course, Rexus," says Rexandi. She casts read magic and gives the last page a look-over.
Aster figures the chest is probably worth no more than 300gp. Laria promises to sell it for her, and deposit the amount into the Silver Raven coffers.
Rexandi easily identifies the last page of spell knowledge as containing the Spirit Share spell, a unique spell that allows the caster to transmute potions, elixirs, and other beneficial liquids directly into an ally's bloodstream.
1. The spellbook grants its holder a +3 to Use Magic Device, and the ability to use Detect Magic and Read Magic at will. Prerequisite: Must be an Arcane caster.
2. Contains 3 pages of spell knowledge: Detect Fiendish Presence, Chill Touch, and Spirit Share (all of these spells just happen to be both sorcerer and witch spells, what a coincidence). More pages of spell knowledge can be crafted in this book with the Create Wonderous Item feat, though pricing remains unchanged.
3. Contains the following spells, which are wizard/sorcerer spells. These spells can be used as if they were scrolls, but there's a 50% chance that the scroll will not be used up. More spells can be written in here with the Scribe Scroll feat. Only works for Arcane spells.
Cantrips: All wizard cantrips
1st: Burning hands, floating disk, identify, mage armor, magic missile, unseen servant
2nd: Acid arrow, make whole
Condition: The user of this spellbook cannot have a familiar or bonded object. (Tethering to ley lines doesn't count.)
As talk changes towards what needs to be done today, Rexus and Laria have some suggestions.
- Invade the rock troll lair for the Skritt (Bazzle will want to prepare his ice bombs)
- Decide Mialari Docur's fate after she stole loot from the Lucky Bones
- Investigate the CCG and their new leadership
- Locate the Poison Pen of Kintargo
- Clear the city streets, alleys, or sewers of monsters in a specific district
- Reactivate the clockwork pump below the Lucky Bones
- Investigate/confront the spy watching Bazzle
- Seek rumours
"Doing anything while I have a tail seems dangerous. I either need to stay out of the action or we need to face it before we do."
"So how do we go about catching your tail? I will help in any way I can but am neither fast or stealthy." Aster agrees but is unsure how to proceed.
"Well I was able to shake her last time. I was in Redroof. The easy way is to confirm she's following and lead her to an ambush but if she doesn't report in whatever and whoever she was investigating is going to turn up a red flag." He thinks a moment, "Whatever we do needs to throw off the immediate suspicion that whoever she was investigating which we know is me, and makes whatever happens to her clearly and easily explained as something else. Killing her confirms that her investigation was on the right track. Unless we can paint a more likely picture."
"Hmmm... you know her name, so maybe we can do our own investigations into her?" Aster thinks for a moment "The other route you suggest, painting a picture of something else... maybe a play? It might help raise the spirits of those around us and might make this Hound think all the odd things you do can be explained by you being an actor?"
Rexus says "I think learning more about her would be a good idea. Surely she has enough of a reputation that someone knows her real name and what she's about. I'm going to throw out a suggestion. Baron Canton Jhaltero is known for hiring investigators and diviners. He could know the identity of this Hound, but he might also be her employer."
Laria counters "I think that's too risky. You could be walking right into a trap. It'd be better to lure her into our own ambush. What could she do against the four of you? You've killed a succubus."
"Well, Bazzle could lead her into a trap. Alternatively, I could use magic to look like Bazzle, and do the same. But that's presuming that we're able to come up with a trap that won't trigger the suspicions of a skilled investigator," says Rexandi.
"Alternatively, maybe we just approach her ourselves, directly, ask her what the heck she wants and why she's stalking one of our friends."
Laria says "If you can find her, sure. But I think the sooner y'all deal with her, the better."
"I think the first step is to gather information, as discreetly as possible."
"I think the first step is to gather information, as discreetly as possible."
Rexus asks "And how do you want to do that?"
"Weave the question into gossip. Most people are eager to show they have heard just as much when it comes to rumors and the such. At least that would be my way of doing it.
"That's fine." Says Rexus, but Laria adds "Just remember that not all rumours are true, dear. If they want to impress, they'll say anything."
"I am eager to use my talents in any way that can expand Milani's goals."
"A trap is easy enough. But when she turns up missing any reports or suspicions she has reported are confirmed to whoever she reported to."
"A ruse to throw off suspicion. Well we did save a recent friend from some drug dealers. Perhaps my shenanigans that have me on the watch list could be explained as trying to keep a friend safe from 'the wrong sort'."
"Maybe, but you're a hard man to find, Bazzle. Maybe we should look for some sort of nondetection spell for you to wear." Rexus answers.
"My fear is exposing others, if you think that will help."
Aster rests her hand on Bazzle's shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile.
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The group decide to exit the Wasp Nest, funnelling out to the Villegre district. It's morning time, and people are getting ready for a long day of work.
Villegre's denizens are known for being intellectuals, and on average are relatively wealthy. The Alabaster Academy and Lady Docur's School for Girls are both located here, though the Academy is at a record-low attendance. Students used to relax at the Aria Park, which was the first site where Thrune publicly ordered his Dottari to attack protestors. Students could also relax at the Long Roads Coffeehouse, which is one of the few businesses to survive the reign of Thrune. The other business to survive, although only barely, is the Sleeping Bear, which is an inn run by an adorable Dwarven couple often called Ma and Da. Finally, students can purchase supplies from the Newt Market.
Villegre is most often patrolled by the Dottari, but Hellknights regularly walk through to identify Chaotic individuals for questioning. Academics are by nature more likely to rebel against tyranny, and Barzillai Thrune is well aware of it.
Vandomir casts blessing of the watch as we head out, which will give us 8 hours of bless as long as we're in the city.
Aster will look for groups she thinks might be both willing to gossip and that she hopes will know something about the Hound. The aging merchant falls into the role of an eager (and hopefully charming) busybody, delighting in the rumor there is someone called the Hound about and wanting to know all she can about the interesting figure to have something to fill the dull hours with.
Prior to leaving Bazzle uses his Sleeves of Many Garments to augment a full disguise.
Aster helps Bazzle with his disguise, suggesting a drabber coat or a heightened slouch.
Aster only needs an hour before finding someone very knowledgeable on the topic. A academy student who chose to study here mainly because of the Temple Hill Slasher. This student loves all things relating to mass murderers, and as a result, is quite familiar with the deeds of The Hound. The Hound is a Tian woman by the name of Tayacet Tiora, who is occasionally called a different name due to her lack of social skills. She is a brilliant investigator, alchemist, and fencer, and has single-handedly brought multiple serial killers to justice around Cheliax and Nidal. Although independent, her prices are simply too expensive for anyone other than nobility to afford. Some of her exploits include the slaying of a Nidalese vampire, capturing a teleporting wizard serial killer, tracking and infiltrating a dragon's lair, and protecting then teenaged Lucian Thrune from an assassination. Tayacet is currently staying in a private room at the Alabaster Academy, but she's only there at night. Other times, she can be found at the academy's library, or roaming the city.
As Aster relays all that she's learned in such a short time, the group has a choice. They can try to find Tayacet, or wait for her to target Bazzle again.