"I'm afraid we might end up putting more on our plate than we can swallow if we now start pursuing a murderer. I do not mean to belittle your skills and talents, but figuring out why and how someone is committing these murders and where he or she might strike next might ... this might take weeks, if not months, of stake-outs and research! There's still the city guard and the specialists the powers that be can call upon."
"Geez, we're really doin' it all now for the city, ain't we?"
Gilda seats herself amid the discussion, crossing her legs and resting her arms in her lap.
"Lemme see what the City thinks about all this, might be it wants us to check this out before anyone else gets hurt, or might be the crazy's 'bout to get caught."
Gilda shrugs.
"Ya never know..."
Gilda calls on the aid of the city and is able to learn some information.
Her first investigation reveals that no one has managed to catch the murderer in the act. The bodies have always been found after the fact, usually in an alley or an abandoned residence.
Her second attempt isn’t as successful, the city deciding to keep its secrets for the moment.
Her third inquiry reveals that all the victims were residents of Old Kintargo and all were human. The victims were a man in his twenties, an elderly woman, another man in his forties, and another woman in her thirties. None of the victims were related and, by all appearances, the crimes were random.
Her fourth attempt reveals that the murders were especially gruesome. Though the weapon or weapons used in the crimes haven’t been found, the victims were badly slashed and appeared to have been stabbed multiple times, far more than would be necessary to simply kill each person. The culprit seems to have taken pleasure in what they did.
Her fifth foray reveals that the Dottari and other city officials have yet to find any promising leads. Rumors about the murderer have all met with dead ends. It’s easy for Gilda to tell that city officials haven’t made much effort towards solving the murders.
Her sixth attempt is also unsuccessful in discovering more information.
Gregor scowls at Matiscio's suggestion, "Have you ever investigated a crime scene? The longer we wait, the more the clues fade away or get corrupted by either the populace or unconcerned authorities. If we leave this murderer alone, how many more people may die by his or her hand? If we delay in clearing the other hideout, are the people here just merely more inconvenienced, but not likely to die at the hands of a psychopath?"
He takes his usual rigid stance of the hands behind his back, "I would prefer we not face any particular threat separately, but if needs be, I feel the true threat lies with the killer and I will pursue it alone. We can always use whatever hours we have left in each day to work toward fixing that machine."
Evander holds up his hands. "There is a lot we need to get done. First and foremost, we cannot trust the otyughs as any kind of security. We were told by the cult of Mahathallah hidden there that they bribed the otyughs with garbage just as we did. The otyughs will show us no loyalty, and allow anyone who gives them garbage to pass. We need to eliminate them, and install security we can count on in the complex.
"Lictor, the majority of the first level is clear - there is a xorn in a room with multi-colored tiles who was bound there by magic. We have come to an arrangement with him to allow us and those we designate to pass without issue for one year, at which time we either must have the magic needed to free him, or we will have to fight him. The rest of that floor is safe to use and traverse. We should begin moving people into that area. It is far too crowded down here, and there is too much notice being drawn to us. The sub-basement is currently flooded with water, requiring magic to breathe. There is a device we can repair in order to clear the water from the area, but it will take a few days. Once we have done so, the sub-basement will be mostly safe, except for a room containing another bound planar creature. We reached a similar agreement with this one, but we only have a month to do so."
Turning to the others, Evander says, "I propose we split up. Lily should focus on repairing the device, with Alloco to protect her. Pigeon, Falcon, and I will work on attempting to track down this murderer. If we find the killer before the device is repaired, then we will get Lily and Alloco to come help us. Lictor, one or two of your armigers helping to protect Lily would be welcome, as well. We don't anticipate any problems, but extra pairs of eyes are not a bad thing."
Surprised but not at Gregor's convictions, Gilda shares her visions from the City with the others, a bit disappointed they didn't yield any major starting point for their investigation. She certainly appears ready to catch a murderer.
Celia nods to most of what Evander has noted, except for when he mentions disposing of the otyughs, at this point she chimes in "I understand the concern about them not being reliable and it is a valid point. However, perhaps rather than kill them we can relocate them? They could still be a valuable resource. In fact, if we plan to abandon the base here, perhaps we can lock them in here? Still gives us a place to dispose of... refuse... when we need to and it will hopefully keep anything from intruding from the sewers in our absence. I have no qualms in killing monsters if the need exists, but I don't see the need here."
"I'm not sure how we go about relocating the otyughs, but if you can find a way to do it, we can relocate them. Otherwise, we have to kill them."
Celia shrugs "We just need a cart and I'm sure we can convince them to move. Of course, we should probably check with Laria first."
Gregor nods reluctantly with Evander's plan, still not liking the other two being in the sunken portion alone with the devil and ooze. He nods emphatically with the discussion when it turns to ridding themselves of the otyughs. "I too feel they are too unreliable. Though I did say as much when we first dealt with them."
Celia taps her finger on her lips as she thinks and then nods to herself "Ok, how about this then, a bit of a compromise. First, I will check with Laria to make sure she doesn't have issues with us moving them here as we clear this place out. Assuming she doesn't and sees the benefit of having her own personal trash disposals, we will go and talk to them. We will be ready for a fight and in the event they refuse we deal with them, otherwise, if they agree we relocate them here. I think that covers all of our bases. We can use the wagon Laria lent us before and I can cast an illusion on it for us to transfer them, you all can act like guards or something and say their are dangerous animals being transported to the Alabaster Academy for research in case any other guards stop us. The coffeehouse is close enough from there we should be able to make it the rest of the way uninterrupted."
"Yea, we ain't gotta kill everything we ain't sure about how reliable they is..."
Gilda's mind briefly flashes when she did just that recently, but she quickly dismisses it, her mind as it is. She then also wonders briefly if Vendy ever proves unreliable to make sure the dragon is hidden well away from Gregor.
Gilda contemplates where to go to solve the mystery of the murderer, and opts to one more time see if the City itself wield yield any clues before the next victim meets a grisly end (possibly in the next hour!).
for hrs
for hrs
for hrs
for hrs
for hrs
for hrs
Gregor waves a hand dismissively, "Fine. I think it is more trouble than the things are worth, but if you are determined to keep and use them, so be it."
Gilda takes a moment to assess why she's gotten involved in discussing the otyugh's plight at all and realizes it's like that time she got involved in the discussion of whether or not she and a few of her neighbors should investigate the smell coming from the apartment a few doors down...
"Tell ya what, first time them garbage heaps do somethin' that ain't right, like eat one of our boys, we knife 'em. But until then, they ain't no bad option to eat all the trash we makin' without havin' to figure out some more conspicuous place to dump it all."
Gilda itches a bump on her arm, probably a bug bite.
"They's less mobile than all them folks we recruitin', and it's more likely that if anyone cops to Boredsilla' 'bout our plans it's someone with two legs then one'a them big heaps."
Gilda then realizes the best way to bring an end to the argument is to give Gregor something else to focus his mind on.
"Now, whatya thinkin' we should do first 'bout this murderer? There's a guy deservin' a knife in his noggin', am I right, or am I right?"
Gilda, grinning like she's just suggested the group go get icecream, moves to give a friendly elbow to Gregor's side.
Gilda is able to gather some of the same rumors as before. However, her third, fourth, and sixth inquiries yield a bit more information.
On her third query, she discovers that the latest victim died just this morning. The victim, a human woman in her thirties, was found in an alley.
Gilda’s fourth foray reveals that the Dottari went to retrieve the body, but that it was already gone when they got there. Witnesses claimed a hooded figure took the body before the Dottari arrived.
The sixth and final inquiry reveals a potential eyewitness to the third murder. The witness apparently saw a bulky man enter an alley shortly after another man in his forties. The bulky man emerged a few minutes later with a dagger dripping with what the witness assumed was blood. The dagger was apparently quite distinctive. The blade supposedly glowed red and its handle appeared to be made of bone.
-----
At some point during your discussions, Laria comes down from her dinner duties to see how everyone’s doing. She offers you a fresh scone or muffin from the tray she’s carrying.
Digging around in a pocket, she pulls out a small scroll tied with twill. After opening it, you find a short note inside. It reads:
My Dear Ravens,
I write to you again in the hopes you will agree to meet. The time has come for us to work together to defeat Kintargo’s tyrant. Admittedly, I also have need of your aid in a matter of personal concern. Please come to the Tooth and Nail at two in the afternoon tomorrow. I will be waiting.
- The Rose of Kintargo
You recognize that the handwriting in the note is the same as the handwriting in the first note you received from the Rose. They were undoubtedly written by the same person.
Once you’ve had a chance to read the note, Laria says, “I was so busy helping guests that I forgot to give that note to you till now. A hooded fellow came in and gave it to me shortly before you returned. I didn’t get a good look at his face, but I’m pretty sure it was a he.”
Matiscio is the last to read the note and the first to the scones. It isn't until he stuffed his mouth with some of Laria's delectable wares that he wipes the crumbs from the corners of his mouth and returns his thoughts and attention to more pressing matters than food. "Two in the afternoon? I suppose that if we agree to go, we should do so as a group. Hrm, that does mean we can get some work done on both of our projects in the morning, so it shouldn't come at the expensive of that."
"Well, this was written by the same person who sent us the first letter from the Rose, so if this is a trap, at least the person setting it is consistent. Perhaps only one or two of us should go in, with the rest waiting as backup. That way, if it is a trap, we have backup waiting. I'll go in - with my extracts, I'm well-suited to evading and escaping capture."
As is common, when Gilda moves closer to Gregor, he move to stay at least a step away from her. He does merely nod, with his usual disdain for agreeing with what Gilda has to say. He in turn shakes his head at Evander's suggestion. "I dare say, it would be difficult to determine who is best suited for the meeting. Lily and Pigeon have their spells, Alloco has his force of arms, Reverend mentioned his extracts, and I have a way of reading people and offering logical and rational compromises. Not knowing what to expect, it is risky to assume any one skill set is better suited than the other. Not to mention, whoever this 'Rose' is, may not be willing to entreat with us if not all of us are present."
Celia reads over the note with a questioning look on her face ”Sorry, this must have been before my time with you all, but what is this whole Rose thing about?”
”The Rose of Kintargo is the name of the cult of Milani in the city. They’ve contacted us before, back when we were first getting started. Given Milani’s portfolio includes those rebelling against tyrannical rule, they make natural allies. However, the Rose was also targeted on the Night of Ashes, and they haven’t been seen since. Thus, while this could be a potential ally reaching out to us, it could also be a trap to catch us.”
Gilda eyes the letter suspiciously, turning it over as she does so.
"Hmm, too bad we ain't got any magic to see some sorta vision of whoever wrote this letter. That'd be real handy. I used ta' get my fortune told by this old bag off Fourth Street... course she was probably a con but she made me feel good after Lenny passed that there was still somethin' ta' live fer."
Gilda relates all the latest details that the City has provided to her.
"Feels like this bone blade that glows red's a real clue, eh? Any sorta evil cult or god that might favor that kinda killin' spree? Might be we got a whole group inta' this kinda shady stabbin'..."
Gilda doesn’t know of any cults or religions that the blade might pertain to.
Matiscio is a whole lot less suspicious about the meeting than Gilda. "I say we all go. Whether we all attend is something else, as say, I could keep an eye out outside, but we can't let this chance to make friends sail out of port. We're swamped as is, so any help and or guidance would be more than welcome ..."
Celia nods to Evanders explanation and when Matiscio mentions everyone going she agrees "Yes, better that we all go. Worst case, I can shroud most of us with my sphere of invisibility as we approach so we have the upper hand should it be a trap."
"Regardless, we should go in disguise. We'll want to make sure we're ready early."
Gregor 'harrumphs' slightly in a 'told you so' sort of way as the majority agree with his suggestion to go together. Maybe if it either works out well, or ends up a trap that they all need to work together to get out, it will work toward his case that they should stick together for their other two tasks as well.
Celia is happy to wait for Evander to work on their disguises. When everyone is ready she suggest "Perhaps you two should be visible for the initial meeting." she motions toward Evander and Gregor "While I shroud the rest of us in invisibility. We can all be present inside that way, and just make sure they don't know we are there until we know whether it is a trap or not."
She turns to Gilda and asks "I know there are magical means of of communicating telepathically, you wouldn't happen to know any of this magic would you. Not that it is necessary, but it could be helpful."
Matiscio happily goes along with Celia's plan. Sure, they might be a little bit too cautious, but one misstep could be enough to see all that they've achieved tumble and crumble. "That works for me."
"We can work with that. It should go well, I think. Is everyone agreed?"
Gregor bristles slightly under his disguise, trying to break from his usual tell-tale stance. "I agree. It seems like a sound idea."
Gilda smiles at Celia's inquiry, resisting the urge to demonstrate it when she realizes she can only do it once per day, not counting her pearl which she just used.
"Ah! I've been ready with that trick, or one close to it!"
**
She then squints at the others.
"So, how does the Rose know it's us when Evander and Gregor arrive? Are we also testing her ability to see through disguises? I'm not even sure what she looks like to pick her out from the crowd?"
Before your meeting concludes, Octavio again implores you to make ready the new hideout as soon as possible. He asks that you let him know when it's safe to begin moving people and supplies.
-----
The next day, you all set out for the Tooth and Nail. Evander sets everyone up with convincing disguises before you leave.
Once you arrive at the tavern, Celia makes herself, Gilda, and Matiscio invisible before proceeding inside after the visible Evander and Gregor.
The bar still has several patrons despite it being the middle of the afternoon. A couple men sit at the bar sipping beers. A young couple share a conversation at a table. A group of men who appear to be sailors sit at another table. They seem to be in the middle of eating a meal. Setrona and her helper toil away behind the bar, seeing to their patrons' needs.
The establishment's final patron is a lone individual sitting at a table in one corner. No one sits at any of the tables near this person. It's hard to say much about the person from a distance as there is a hood over the person's face. At a glance, the person appears to be a man. His hands indicate he has a dark complexion. Approaching closer would be necessary to ascertain anything else.
Gilda hmm's as she assesses the Tooth and Nail and whispers more quietly than usual to those within the shroud of invisibility.
"Huh, ya think that's the Rose? Kinda was expected a woman, but it ain't them sailors, men or couple... maybe the couple?"
Gilda waits somewhat patiently for Evander and Gregor to make a move.
Evander answers Gilda, "I'll ask Setrona if she has any drinks with rose water for a few silver, but nothing the color of a raven. Hopefully, that's a sufficient hint to the Rose that we're there. Otherwise, we'll keep an eye on the patrons, and see who looks likely."
============================================================
Looking over the common room, Evander moves to take a table halfway between the bar and the hooded person, in plain view of everyone in the room so as to avoid suspicion, and waves over Setrona. Once she arrives, he asks, "Excuse me, do you have any drinks made with rose water for a few silver? Nothing the color of a raven, though - too dark a drink makes me ill."
Gregor enters with Evander, and nods appreciatively at the hidden message. All the same, he eyes the room and its patrons for anyone paying close attention to them beyond idle curiosity.
Gregor doesn’t see anyone paying particularly close attention to himself and Evander, just a few glances as the pair first entered the tavern. It’s difficult to say if the hooded figure is looking at you due to his face being hidden.
At Evander’s coded question, Setrona shakes her head, but also winks as she says, “The tavern doesn’t have any drinks made with rose water, but I think that fellow over there might could find you some.”
Setrona nods toward the hooded figure in one corner. The proprietor smiles at Evander and Gregor before returning to her work behind the bar.
Celia stays quiet while she waits for her friends next step.
"Thank you much." Evander got up from his table and moved over to the hooded figure. "Good day, friend. I understand you can get some rose water."
Gilda waits patiently (for her, anyway) under the Celia's shroud.
Even in his disguise, Gregor has a hard time not adopting a rigid stance. He stands just behind Evander's right side, arms crossed, allowing him to just finger the pommel of his sword. As is typical, he wears a displeased scowl.
Bulky as he might be, Matiscio somehow manages to make no sound whatsoever. From time to time, he'll squeeze the hand of whoever happens to be standing next to him to make sure they know he's still alive and breathing. That, and it gives him something to do, because he's eager to get this over with.
After Evander's question, the man - still hooded - says, "I may be able to do so. Who is asking? And why do you need this rose water?"
"Why do I need rose water? Well, with mint being banned in this city, I find it adds a delightful flavor to those things which no longer benefit from it. As to who I am, just a simple reverend who enjoys bird watching, especially ravens."
Gilda invisibly smirks, feeling somewhat proud of Evander's creative ability to pass along just the right message to the presumed Rose.