With just a short time before Hikaru’s meeting with Jherizhana, you have a few minutes to wash up at the Two Rivers Tavern and grab a few hastily made sandwiches and apples from Noria before you go out. She greets you cheerfully as ever. "Investigating is important work, but you can't forget to take care of yourselves or you'll fall over and waste away!" The sandwiches are good: hearty bread, crunchy dill pickle, perky tomatoes and smoked fish. “And I’m just rolling out some pie dough now. It’s a pleasant night. Have a good walk! Once you’re done, maybe I’ll even have some done and baked for you?” She winks at Vralk.
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It’s cool by the docks, but pleasant. The constant lap of water between the Skull river and Lake Syrantula makes a soothing sound. As the town clock chimes ten, and you start to worry that you may have been stood up, a figure in a swirling blue cloak appears, quite literally, on the dock.
She appears quite human, looks shy rather than bold, but when she lowers her hood, you can see Jherizhana’s beautiful face and hair. She turns to Hikaru. “Stories have a way of becoming more than the people who tell them. They take on lives of their own. I am both the teller and the tale, and along the way I think I became lost in my own story. I never meant to hurt anyone, nor deceive you. I just meant to share a moment’s joy, a bit of wonder, a chance for sweet people like Archie Walder to riddle with a sphinx and tell the tale to their friends and loved ones. I have neither claws nor wings, save in the ones that spring from my own imagination.”
“I loved being a sphinx.” She looks incredibly sad. “Being Jherizhana, wrapping myself in the illusion and the story, it not only gave the Umbral Carnival a star... it gave me a purpose. It allowed me to be bold, and to laugh, and to interact with hundreds of people. I thought it was harmless, until people used my story to lay blame for their murders. When I heard that poor Archie had been murdered with claws, I wanted to come forward and admit the illusion. I wanted to show the Sheriff that the claws were not real. Almara said that it wouldn’t bring the killers to justice, nor change people's opinion of us, nor maintain Ilsurian as a venue we're welcome to visit again. She thought that all it would prove is that the perpetrators were too stupid to figure out they were framing an illusion. And if I lay down this story that I’ve become... What happens to the circus and all the other entertainers? No one will come to our shows, and Umbral Carnival will be ruined.”
She wraps her cloak tightly around herself, looking very small and lost. “What have I done? Almara is in jail, protecting me and my secret. The murderers took out two innocent people in my name.” She looks nauseated. “Here you are, trying your best to clear it, but without crucial information. You deserve to know. This is my true form. I am ordinary, neither the stuff of legend nor fairy tale.”
She turns to Hikaru, echoing a phrase that he once said to her. “Does that make me less in your eyes?”
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"Not at all.. .your beauty remains beyond compare, and you have changed wings and claws for flights of fancy in your mind's eye and the ability to make it real to all around you. I am enchanted. Thank you for coming forward, and I understand your reticence in letting the sheriff be privy to your true form and tale. I sincerely hope we can resolve this mystery without asking you to reveal yourself. If we can, I'm sure she'll let Almara go and all will be set right. But IF we can't catch the guilty parties and prove their guilt, would you be willing to reveal yourself in private to the sheriff only? Just so she will release Almara? I'm hoping it never becomes necessary.. let the folk have their illusions and fantasies, I say. Just asking in case. And do you have a safe place to hide while this all goes on?"
At Hikaru’s warm words, her face lights up. She stands on tiptoe, and kisses him on the cheek. “Thank you, Hikaru. Of course I will reveal myself to the Sheriff if I need arises. But I have faith that you will catch these murderers. I saw what you did with the Madame Masque challenge. You might say that I had a closer vantage than anyone.” She grins. “I’m heading back to the Circus. Cloaked in illusion, I should be alright. I do have one advantage over the people doing this, and that is that they have no idea I exist.”
She smiles, then whispers in his ear. “Ika. That’s the name I was born with, but I like Jherizhana better.” Taking a scarf out of her bodice, she ties it to his arm. “For luck. I’ll see you when you get back, hear?”
She swirls her cloak again, and disappears, apparently into the mist.
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Hikaru's head is in the clouds from the heady sensation of her attentions and he doesn't notice anything special.
"Thank you for your favor. I will bear it proudly and to a successful conclusion to all of this, I hope." He watches her disappear in a swirl of cloak and sighs softly. he mutters softly, "Now that is one damn fine person... I could fall in love with her... "
He shakes his head and comes back to the present and the business at hand. "Aye, the warehouse is fine, STali... let's do it."
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Andrietta is considerably quiet after the whole situation with the Braetons and her hasty letter-writing.
"Almara is a good woman watching out for her family. You're doing right by her, Sheriff, even if it doesn't feel like it. It will all work out. I'm sure we can get this handled in a timely fashion."
When the discussion turns to whether to investigate one place or the other, she's actually glad to have the diversion of Hikaru's note and clandestine encounter to take her mind off the admittedly dark thoughts she's having.
The grandmother squints but remains quiet during said clandestine encounter. She wants to chastise the young dancer and masterful illusionist, but at the same time the girl is already feeling a burden that would be far more educational than any amount of preaching would be.
"Ika, dear? Be careful and think of what other stories and illusions you might need to sell before this is all done. When the thrice-damned come calling, Hajeck will need your talents."
When the docks are approached, Andrietta is keeping a sharp eye out for folks, warily watching entrances, lights, and the sort.
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"Any sort of activity, really. It is well past the time that businesses should be operating. Even if it isn't in one of the buildings we suspect, we want to know if someone is there." Stali whispers back.
Gesturing towards the rooftops, he adds "Especially watch for anyone on lookout -- we want to take those out so they don't raise an alarm."
He waits to see if there are any other questions before he tries to sneak closer to the buildings of interest.
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In a quieter tone -- but not a whisper, because the sibilant nature of a whisper draws more attention -- Andrietta offers the following insight.
"They will probably know *something* is up because their Braeton Butchering Buddies haven't returned.
They will also be watching for anyone looking for their lookouts, but at that point, we're chasing diminishing returns.
I'd suggest watching rooftops, corners of buildings, and keep all senses sharp.
Anything that seems like it might be out of place or perfectly in place might be a signal."
It may seem odd that a *paladin* is 'on-board' with this sneaking about --inasmuch as a paladin can sneak--but given recent situations and what being 'bold' almost did to the party at Braeton Manor, caution is a much better idea.
The docks near Lake Syrantula aren’t as well maintained as Braeton’s. Everywhere, there are signs of hasty repairs and poorly maintained buildings and dock planking. Since you are looking for signs of activity, the docks near Syrantula lake appear surprisingly busy at 10:30 at night. Unlike the ones you just left, business is not just centered around the taverns and pubs. You notice a pair of skiffs pulling out from the docks, sailing away quietly under cover of darkness, and hear three men grunting as they quickly cart boxes from the docks to the door into the eastern side of the Warehouse.
The wind carries their voices to you. “Dammit, why aren’t those lazy lugs back to help us unload?”
“Answered your own question, there.” There’s a spate of rough laughter, and the voice grunts as he picks up another crate, then continues. “‘Sides, Bor likes to play, and Ro ain’t there to keep him on task. He’s probably plucking one of those birds for fun. Hope it’s the fussy grandma.”
They drag the crates in. “Can’t get those other docks soon enough. We’ll be able to ship whatever, wherever, whenever. No more of these damn night shifts.” They close the doors behind them.
You continue checking around, and notice a woman quietly come out of the Curiosities shop, framed for a moment by the light in the doorway. She checks her watch, shakes her head, and goes back inside.
No one appears to be on watch.
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Stali motions for people to retreat a little bit.
Once out of easy hearing of the docks, he relays what he saw and heard. He encourages others to share anything they may have found.
After the quick discussion, he whispers "Given what we heard, it is pretty obvious that the woman is heavily involved. I am now thinking the curiosity shop so that Robella doesn't get away, but there are still good reasons to start with the warehouse."
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"Be mindful of the fact we've got at least two skulks unaccounted for, and we may not have seen them in our stake-out of the two locations.
Let's leave the folks at the warehouse wondering about their compatriots for a bit longer, they didn't seem as alarmed as the woman at the curiosity shop.
Anyone who watches a timepiece like that is worried about something..."
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Andrietta pulls out a vial of acid and an Alchemist's fire, setting them up in an outside pouch of her backpack with the flap open so Vralk can easily grab them if desired.
"Just you be careful not to hit any of us with them, greedy-guts, and you may use mine. But wait until there is a good time to use them, like at the Manor."
"Gallako, dear? We can't arrest without proof. However, we can say that people are wanted 'for questioning' and that works just as well."
There's a brief pause.
"If THEN they resist being brought in for questioning, then we can go to yours."
"As far as entry, I like the two-winged approach, but splitting our numbers with an unknown opponent and internal building layout seems very risky."
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"Perhaps General Chak and I can go to the door on the alley. Make sure no one escapes that way." Stali suggests, looking towards Chak to see if he agrees. I am impressed with how quietly he can move in all that armor! Be good to have another person with me at the side door.
Turning to Hikaru, he points out "It is just around the corner, if necessary either group could get to the other within seconds."
The team does not have long to wait before another skiff sails in under cover of darkness, and one of its crew knocks on the western door of the Warehouse, and three grumbling warehouse workers come out to haul.
Meanwhile the rest of you assemble around the Curiosity Shop. The front doors of the Curiosity have glass windows in them, and light is spilling out. Someone is definitely still there. Stali, the door on the west side of the alley is in fact locked.
How do you approach? Do you let the alley team go in first, or are you both approaching on one signal?
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After a cursory check of the door, Stali gets out his tools and tries to unlock the door while Chak is on lookout for him.
Once the door is unlocked, he gives the talon-up to Vralk so the others know to come in the front door. He will use the noise of them coming in the front to hide the sound of him opening the side door.
The alley door opens with a soft and satisfying click. Stali signals Vralk, then Chak and Stali slide inside.
This room serves as storage for the curiosity shop. A couple of the boxes are stacked as a makeshift table, bearing a single coffee cup and the lurid Varisian romance “He Came in the Night.” Another box serves as a makeshift chair. Along one wall are more boxes, most unopened. One of the open ones looks like someone roughly upended a jewelry box into it, and were either too unskilled or too rushed to sort and layout the jewelry properly.
At Vralk’s signal, Andrietta opens the door, shield up and smashes through...
...and notices, along with Gallako and Hikaru, that there is a trap in the floor.
"What the FLOCK are you all doing here?!" One hand still under the desk, she grabs something on her person and drinks it, glaring daggers at you.
This small store is filled with strange knickknacks, art, and unusual tools. The display case to the west features jewelry, most of it locally crafted. The case to the east contains oddities such as turtle-shell soup bowls and bizarre gnome cooking utensils. The center case is filled with bottles and vials and a selection of scented soaps and perfumes. Behind the counter are double doors, leading into the back.
The whole party is up. My poor, poor alchemist...
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Andrietta falls right in.
Congratulations, Andrietta! You have boldly discovered a hidden room on this map.
You have been dumped into an apparently featureless room...
...but wait! Is that a bit of seam there? It is! You've found a secret door, which appears to be locked. Would you rather knock it down and break it, or wait for rescue?
Andrietta heals herself, but does not manage yet to burst through the door.
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Click. Whirr.
Wand in hand, Sarano lets fly at Robella with a magic missile. A pretty bird-shaped ball of force goes right up Robella's nose!
Sarano magic missiles Robella, drawing first blood!
Chak, Stali, Hikaru and Gallako are all up!
Stali does hear an echoing crash. Andrietta did fall rather spectacularly.
Chak opens the door, Stalk leaps the back set of cases, does a backflip and then hits Robella squarely on the head with his sap.
"OW!" She sneers, "I'll bill you for that later, you FEATHERED FREAK!"
Gallako and Hikaru are up!
Gallako notifies Robella of her pending arrest, calls for her surrender, and attempts to daze Robella.
"Is that all?" She snarls. "A mind affecting spell? Just what I'd expect from a birdbrain like you. What have you done with my husband? If he's dead, I'll make sure all of you are torn apart, plucked and roasted for a turkey dinner for all our employees, starting with the silly grandmother in my pit!"
Hikaru is up!
Hikaru flies across the pit, as light and acrobatic as the bird he resembles. He cuts Robella and demands her surrender. Surrounded, out of other options, she grimly takes an extract out and drinks it...
Hikaru and Stali may make their attacks of opportunity.